Bridging the Gap Between Young People and Employment

The publication of the government’s Young People and Work Report, led by Alan Milburn, should be a wake-up call for every employer, recruiter and policymaker in the UK.

For years, businesses have warned about skills shortages, declining productivity, and growing hiring challenges. But this report reframes the issue entirely. We are no longer dealing with a temporary labour market imbalance. We are witnessing the emergence of a structural disconnect between young people and work itself.

Today, almost one million young people in the UK are classified as NEET, not in education, employment or training, the highest level in more than a decade. The report warns that figure could rise to 1.25 million within five years if urgent action is not taken.

This is not simply a youth issue. It is an economic issue, a business issue, and, increasingly, a talent pipeline issue.

The report highlights several key contributing factors, including:

• Fewer entry-level opportunities

• Education and school attendance challenges

• Mental and physical health issues

• Geographical and social inequality

  
  

While these are systemic challenges, there are still practical steps young people can take to improve their chances of entering the workforce.

Our CEO, Jane Wylie-Roberts, joined a discussion on BBC Radio Scotland with Stephen Jardine to discuss what young people can do to stand out.

Jane said:

“For each individual experiencing this problem, it’s important to remember this isn’t just happening to them, this is a UK-wide issue. It’s difficult, but young people shouldn’t take it personally.

The number of vacancies has fallen dramatically, and it happened at the same time the National Minimum Wage and Employers’ National Insurance contributions increased, so the two are undoubtedly linked.”

She also shared practical advice for young people trying to break into employment:

“My best advice is that you need to stand out against AI. Use every connection you can think of and utilise your network, even if it’s just to secure one day of work experience or volunteer with a local charity. Anything that helps differentiate you matters.

When you get the opportunity to interview, having real-life examples to refer to is invaluable. Whether it’s dealing with a difficult customer, solving a problem or simply showing reliability and commitment, these experiences help you stand out during the interview process.

There’s so much information available at our fingertips now, so don’t be afraid to reach out directly to a company director or decision-maker with a personal message, even with a handwritten letter. Going beyond HR and explaining why an opportunity matters to you shows genuine effort, and people notice that

I once had a young woman write to me mentioning that she knew I played the cello, and that she played too. She had clearly taken the time to research and personalise her approach, and that effort genuinely stood out. I actually ended up offering her an internship because of it. It’s about being different.”

You can listen in full to what Jane had to say here:

The report makes one thing clear: solving the youth employment crisis will require action from government, employers, educators and recruiters alike. But for young people entering the workforce today, resilience, initiative and personal connection still matter enormously.

If your business is looking to attract, develop, and retain the next generation of talent, now is the time to rethink how we create opportunities for young people entering the world of work.

Get in touch with our team to discuss how we can help you build stronger early-career hiring strategies and future-proof your talent pipeline.