Work better for young workers

Jan 22 2008 By The Journal

WHILE the ambitious targets of enabling 50% of young people to move into higher education has seen a substantial rise in student numbers, so have the numbers of full-time students who juggle work and studies increased significantly.

Research by the Northern TUC indicates that around 60% of students also work; many work full-time as well as being on full-time education programmes. There are positive reasons for students to work; it can help “acclimatise” them to working life as well as help to keep the inevitable debt mountain from getting too high before they graduate.

Work is generally an experience that benefits individuals, socially and culturally as well as economically. However, a survey of 1,000 young workers by the Unite T&G trade union showed that the labour market for this group is increasingly insecure and low-paid. Half the participants in the survey felt that employers exploit young workers; one third said they were poorly paid for the job they do; more than two fifths found it hard to get interesting, well-paid work; 22% had wages docked because they were ill; one quarter had experienced bullying at work; and 17% said they thought their workplace unsafe.

The picture painted by the experiences of workers in the Unite T&G survey is not one which will lead young people to aspire to employment opportunities. Employers will need to make work more appealing in order to attract those with the most talent as well as to provide incentives for people to raise their ambitions. With more than 50% of young workers employed in hospitality, tourism and other services – while one in six goes into construction – raising the quality of employment in these sectors would be a good start.

Raising the “participation in education” age to 18 (announced in last year’s Queen’s speech) will help, but training for all young workers, including supporting more through apprenticeships, will help to improve the quality of working life, too.

Young people are increasingly at the heart of economic and social policy; there is a major focus on those “Not in Employment, Education or Training” (NEETs) right now, seeking to ensure that everybody has the opportunity to develop their potential and to contribute fully in society. As well as the practical help for young people to develop their confidence and competencies, work needs to be a sufficiently attractive option.

Most of the young people entering the economy today have the best part of 40 years in front of them to contribute and make a difference, and therefore it is imperative that their first experience of work is a positive one – equipping them with the practical knowledge and, hopefully, the desire to aspire. Aspiration and potential are commodities that can’t be bought and sold, so we must make work work for them.