The latest ONS unemployment figures show a fall in the number of people out of work to reach 2.45 million. However, the number of young people (aged 16-24) who were unemployed in the three months to May 2011 fell to 917,000.
Last month’s ONS unemployment figures revealed unemployment amongst 16-24 year-olds fell slightly after hovering dangerously close to the 1 million mark. Despite this, with the number of graduates flooding on the market, finding employment still remains tough for young people.
Carmen Watson, the Managing Director of Pertemps Recruitment Partnership, said, “The jobs market remains extremely competitive. It’s important that young people are placed into work early on. My advice to young people is to be flexible – some experience is better than no experience. Take up any practical or temporary experience you can get because it will give you first hand experience into ‘real world’ scenarios and as a result help you to develop a range of transferable employability skills that employers are looking for.”
Carmen continued, “The rising popularity of temporary placements marks a change in the mentalities of young people as typically students didn’t make the most of the valuable work experience opportunities during term or holiday times.
“Work experience placements will not only enhance your CV but give you an insider’s view of an industry. They will also provide you with an opportunity to network and make contacts that could help you maximise your chances of landing a job.”
