Work experience in the UK is not available to all

A significant proportion of UK companies have said that they are not able to offer work experience placements, meaning that many young people may miss out on useful job training.

A report by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) revealed that one in five UK employers say that they could not offer work experience placements. Meanwhile, two thirds of businesses say that experience is a crucial factor that they look for in new recruits.

Obtaining work experience placements, and gaining essential skills for work, is therefore partly reliant on a person's access or proximity to certain businesses.

The latest government figures show that under-25s comprise around 40% of the nation’s unemployed population, despite making up just 12% of the population overall.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s Katerina Rüdiger has commented: "Youth unemployment continues to be a significant problem in Britain, even during times of economic growth, as many young people are unprepared for the labor market.

"One of the key barriers young people face when seeking employment is a lack of prior work experience."

Jochen Kluve writes that comprehensive labor market interventions are needed to combat youth unemployment. He recommends a mix of job-search assistance, counseling, training, and placement services, but acknowledges that structural economic issues may prevent these from being implemented.

He suggests that interventions should be planned earlier in the education system to improve the school-to-work transition.

Read more here.

Related articles:
Youth labor market interventions, by Jochen Kluve
Do youth mentoring programs change the perspectives and improve the life opportunities of at-risk youth? by Núria Rodríguez-Planas
Do case workers help the unemployed? by Michael Rosholm