For the last 15 years, The Princes Trust Nat West Youth Index has surveyed on average 2000 young people and reported the outcomes to give a better understanding of the needs and views of young people in our community and one of the startling headlines was how their approach to work and employment has been impacted by the cost of living crisis.

1/3 of 16-25-year-olds feel they could not afford to get the qualifications needed to get the job of their dreams, with the average student loan now running at approx. £45,000 (2021/22) with the government debt now reaching £206 billion.

Of the 2239 young people surveyed for this year’s report one-fifth said they planned to finish their education early to enable them to earn money and 5% stated they had missed school or work as they couldn’t afford the fares.

Unemployment has a significant impact on a person’s mental health, physical health and confidence and 62% of young people agreed that having a job is good for their mental health.

40% of young people have experienced a mental health problem in the last year with one in five saying its got worse during the last 12 months.

What young people are saying they need is something we in industry can help with:

Help with securing work experience.

Help with building confidence.

Building their skills for work.

Help with CV or interview skills.

Improving their qualifications

Having a mentor.

Have you thought how you could help, I am sure there is something we could all tick from this list.