The Young Women’s Trust has found young people between the ages of 18-30 are suffering from a lack of confidence, worried about their future aspirations along with the fact that many are feeling ‘worn down.’
Girls are more likely to be affected with lack of confidence with 54% saying they are not confident while only 39% of young men feel the same. Many young people have also said they have to live with their parents due to financial restraints.
The charity recommends more help for young people including having the National Living Wage to be awarded to all under 25s. They also recommended that job centres should provide more ‘focused’ advice to help people in getting jobs.
A generation of young people should not suffer, they provide the skills and innovation needed to help build the future of this country. The government must invest in policies that will help young people by providing them with further subsides to acquire the job or training of their wish in schools, colleges and universities offering more tailored support for all young people.
There is a lack of consensus especially in guidance counsellors in schools, in providing the right support for different students. They should make young people aware of the challenges and opportunities that await in their future, while also providing a variety of avenues for their students. Many guidance counsellors still provide little information outside of attending universities.
Civil societies such as charities and non-profit organisations should all provide young people with the life skills necessary especially in building their confidence.
Young people must also be realistic, competition for jobs remains difficult especially for those are just entering the workforce. However, they must keep working hard. It is difficult to get a foot on the job ladder which will afterwards open up many opportunities for young people.
The government along with civil society, schools and universities should all work together to help young people fulfil their potential. By Samiha Sharif
