Young Person Unemployment - Is the Higher Educational System at Fault - CareerAlley

Young Person Unemployment - Is the Higher Educational System at Fault - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Last month, the Office of National Statistics (ONS), released a report detailing graduate employment rates. While unemployment for graduates aged between 21 to 30 is lower than those who do not hold degrees, studies show that almost half (47%) of recent UK graduates are working in non-graduate positions. This is arguably, pushing those who do not hold degrees into unemployment. Unemployment rates for young people aged 21-30 are currently 9% for graduates and 14% for non-graduates. So, with roughly one in ten people aged 21-30 not in work it is possible that younger people are getting the wrong kinds of qualifications and looking for the wrong jobs. An investigation conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA) last year found that 94,000 people completed hair and beauty courses, despite there only being around 18,000 jobs in that sector, equating to five people for every one job. It was also found that for every two people who trained to work in hospitality, sport and leisure, there was just one job forcing half of young people to work in a field they had not specialised in. Broadcasting, journalism and public relations is also facing similar difficulties with 83,000 people completing education specialising in these fields and there only being 65,000 jobs available. The LGA also discovered that fewer than 40,000 people trained in building and engineering trades, leaving a surplus of 32,000 jobs, essentially meaning that there is almost only one person for every two jobs available. There were similar findings in the construction industry as well, with only 123,000 people trained for the 275,000 jobs available. This huge discrepancy in the types of courses completed and job demand has a large impact on young person unemployment. Education establishments are currently encouraging students to complete courses and gain qualifications rather than encouraging them towards courses that will result in work. Thanks to the high demand for jobs and the excess number of graduates, compared with last September, graduate salaries have fallen by 3.4%. The high competition for graduate positions has also resulted in up to fifty degree holders competing for the same entry level graduate position. This high unemployment rate and demand for jobs means that employers are able to pay low wages. The ONS research also found that while medical graduate received the largest pay. At nearly 46,000 a year, media and information graduates receive the lowest paid jobs at less than half of a medic at around 21,000. With tuition fees triple what they were three years ago, graduate wages decreasing and young person unemployment the highest its been in years it is evident some changes need to be made. Some argue that school and college-leavers should look to work in trade jobs such as electricians or plumbers, or take work in the construction and engineering industries. Michael French, Electronic Equipment Specialist works for www.isswww.co.uk, a website specialising in providing kit for electricians like Fluke Testers explains that the electricians industry represent almost 12% of the entire construction sector. With electricity such an integral part of our daily lives, demand for qualified electricians is never going to fall. According to national averages electricians are getting paid around 10% more than the UKs average salary, receiving an average yearly income of around 29,000 thats 11,000 more than the average minimum bracket for entry level graduate jobs. Despite the notion of specialising in a trade rather completing degree not being a new idea, youth continue to suffer from high unemployment. Going forward, emphasis should be placed on completing education with a mind of securing work, rather than just achieving a NVQ, or BA degree in a subject for the sake of the qualification. Before selecting higher education or specialism, students need a better understanding of real life situations, including unemployment, debt and the chances of securing a mortgage. Although it may seem a long way off, these problems are only a certificate or diploma away and the young people are thrown into the real world, expected to fend for themselves, find a job and live as an adult. With increased tuition fees and the job market and entry level wages at an all-time low, attitudes towards education and its relationship to work will need to change. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Joey Trebif