Opportunities need to be created for young people, says IPPR

Opportunities need to be created to help young people get into work, according to IPPR. Research from the think tank showed that the number of 16 to 17 year olds working in the summer has halved over the past 20 years.

Over 40 per cent of 16 to 17 year olds were working whilst studying in the late 1990s, compared to just over 20 per cent now, whilst the number of 18 to 24 year olds working in summer jobs has also declined.

Opportunities

The research highlights the problem of young people not being provided with enough opportunities, with over 200,000 in education who are also searching for work.

IPPR is now calling for more opportunities to be made available to young people to enable them to get onto the employment ladder.

"Our analysis shows that young people want to work both in the summer and alongside studying, but often can't. Government, business, schools and universities need to work together to create opportunities for young people,” said IPPR Research Fellow Carys Roberts.

Roberts added that this should include high-quality work experience in schools, apprenticeships that offer qualifications, and university-brokered paid internships for students.

Unique

The research comes after a report by J.P. Morgan revealed that a decline in summer youth employment is a global problem, with the number of young people in summer jobs in the US also falling.

Discussing the benefits of summer jobs, J.P. Morgan Head of Philanthropy for Europe, Middle East and Africa Hang Ho said “Summer jobs provide young people with a unique opportunity to develop valuable skills and lay the foundation for better future employment opportunities.”