Young Voices, the latest project by Wot Wud U Do Educational Services (WWUDES), sheds light on these obstacles and explores practical solutions. Funded by The Rank Foundation, this ambitious coproduction project aims to identify and bridge the gap between young people and the workforce, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Youth Unemployment: The Persistent Challenge

In today’s competitive job market, young people face numerous challenges in securing stable and meaningful employment. Youth unemployment remains a critical issue, with many young people struggling due to a lack of experience, limited access to quality education, and the absence of a professional network. These challenges are particularly acute for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, making the transition from education to employment even more daunting.

Young Voices: Identifying Barriers to Employment

Working closely with young people from the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Prince’s Trust team in Blackpool, Young Voices identified the application and interview process as the most significant barrier to employment. Participants expressed feelings of fear and anxiety, stemming from a perceived lack of communication skills, motivation, and confidence—key competencies that traditional education often overlooks.

One of the most disheartening findings was the impact of the lack of feedback from employers. Many young people reported that being left in the dark about why they failed to secure a job or even pass the application stage negatively affected their self-worth. This lack of understanding often led to a downward spiral in mental health, as they began to internalize these failures, believing they were somehow the problem.

Insights and Recommendations from Young People

The young participants offered valuable insights into how these barriers could be addressed:

1. The Need for Feedback and Guidance: Young people expressed a strong desire for constructive feedback after interviews. They felt that understanding their mistakes would enable them to learn, improve, and perform better in future interviews. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of receiving guidance on what to expect during interviews, which could alleviate some of their anxieties.
2. Comfort vs. Formality in Interviews: The young people understood the importance of presenting themselves well to potential employers and recognized the need to step out of their comfort zones to grow. However, they also emphasized the value of keeping the interview process as informal as possible. They felt that being forced to wear formal attire, such as a suit, added unnecessary pressure and detracted from their ability to express their true personalities. They suggested that employers could foster a more authentic connection by being flexible with dress codes and focusing less on appearance and more on character and potential.
3. Flexibility for Those with Additional Needs: The project highlighted the need to ease certain young people, particularly those from low-income families or those with diagnosed or undiagnosed learning disabilities, into the work environment. Flexibility in approaches, appearances, and attitudes was seen as crucial to helping these individuals succeed.

Other Barriers to Employment

The Young Voices project also identified several other critical barriers:

1. Limited Qualifications: Not all young people have the necessary qualifications, nor do they always have the opportunity to gain them while working. Participants suggested that if employers offered basic-level qualifications, such as in Maths or English, alongside job roles, it would provide much-needed support and open up more opportunities for them to secure employment.
2. Lack of Work Experience: Many young people are trapped in a frustrating cycle: they need experience to get a job, but they need a job to gain experience. Programs like the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Prince’s Trust and other voluntary, charitable, or community services offer vital experience and pathways into employment, helping to break this cycle.
3. Mental Health and Well-being: Mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, can significantly impact a young person’s ability to seek and maintain employment. The young people involved in the project voiced particular concerns about the lack of support for those with learning difficulties, which often affect communication, motivation, and confidence. The stigma and misunderstanding surrounding mental health further exacerbate these challenges.

Below is a short video created in collaboration with young people from The Lancashire Fire and Rescure Prince’s Trust in Blackpool, highlighting the barriers they face when trying to secure a job. The young people co-produced the script and storyboard, drawing from their own experiences with interviews and the workplace. The video emphasizes the importance of creating a work environment that is both welcoming and nurturing.

Moving Forward

The Young Voices project by WWUDES, funded by The Rank Foundation, provides invaluable insights into the barriers young people face in their journey towards employment. By listening to these young voices and understanding their needs, we can create more inclusive and supportive pathways to employment.

There is a clear need for greater feedback and guidance, more flexible and understanding interview processes, and better support for those with additional needs. Employers, educators, and policymakers must work together to create a more accessible and equitable job market for all young people.

At WWUDES, we are committed to continuing this work, amplifying the voices of young people, and ensuring that no one is left behind. Together, we can help the next generation overcome these barriers and achieve their full potential.

Read about our other projects here.