All of this, I have teenagers and it's horrendous. Even volunteer positions don't bother replying. University doesn't appeal at all, they don't want a massive debt with little chance of a job at the end of it.
This is a fantastic post but a deeply worrying one - and as a secondary school teacher of 20+ years, I've seen the aspirations of kids drop over that time. My own children are in their mid-20s now, and although they've both been employed since leaving education, I still worry for them and what their lives will be like. Successive governments have spent so much time sweetening the pot for older people - who tend to vote, and vote conservatively - that our young people have been shafted repeatedly. It's hardly surprising so many of them feel that politics has nothing to offer them. But as usual, I expect there will be several rounds of hand-wringing about this and years of consultations about reforming education etc. And nothing will be done at the end of it because there are too many vested interests pulling the other way.
I'm not sure if it's just me, but... This world where people use AI to submit job applications, to be reviewed by AI, only to be ghosted, by AI just seems to me be a wee bit like a nightmare dystopian vision were all being forced to live through by unelected, unaccountable overlords.
Its heartbreaking - and "Government" should be doing something about it. I think UBI would be a really good start, especially with the increase of AI filling physical jobs from under our noses.
When I worked, I spent two periods unemployed, once in the early 80's having been made redundant, and again in 2014. Both were totally soul destroying, with absolutely no help from the Joke Shop (Job Centre). I'm glad I've retired, but feel so sad for the current generation, and the shambles we've left for them.
Thought provoking piece Bear. I see young families and wonder if they thought of the consequences to their children of such a world. Perhaps all should aspire to be well remunerated politicians and change the world that way? 🤔 Goodness knows there's enough politicians currently who are a waste of taxpayers' money! Hoping your back is more comfortable now Bear x
Universities became businesses when funding changed to Student Loans. The whole process was then exacerbated by the 50% goal of Blair. Getting skills-based training to equivalence with an academic based ones is vital.
I am lucky to have 2 Millenial offspring in 'traditional' employment and doing well. My Gen Z niece and elder nephew are in degree related jobs. My younger nephew - seeing the way the wind is blowing - is trying to carve out a potential career in catering (unrelated to his degree). All (bar one) can see no end to their SL repayments but know they're lucky to have jobs/careers. The Gen Z ones have many friends who are still unable to get any work at all let alone degree-related ones.
i never thought of it in the you have explained, it must be horrendous for a person to come into the job sector and be constantly rejected, im have just retired, and have applied for jobs i am more than qualified to do, with absolutely no luck, and i now understand why.. 😏
I'm not sure what the point of this post was, except to make us feel even more depressed. Yes, we need to do all those things you suggest at the end, but how? Most of us feel (and are) powerless in this situation.
The point was really to explain how it is. Many people just aren't aware of life for NEETs. Being aware is the 1st step. We have to have hope that society can change and be part of making that change.
We need to start with demanding political regulation of both the public and private managerial and CEO class’s plundering of taxes and worker’s profits. Even if younger generations are some of the lucky ones who are in secure gainful employment, the Thatcher era introduced structural capital extraction from the lowest to the highest paid is inexcusably iniquitous. This cross party neoliberal policy creates a huge financial imbalance which also results in a socially destructive feedback loop of lack of investment in places outside the City of London.
The UK is now are right back in an increasingly bitter class war like that of the pre WW 2 era.
Wowsers! An entire piece about youth unemployment that doesn’t even briefly reference employment-rights reforms that make it harder to fire workers or the tax rises that make it more expensive to employ people. Even though both issues disproportionately affect inexperienced and low productivity workers, e.g.., the young. This is quite an achievement! Bravo, señor Bear!
True. There was a great deal else that could have been mentioned. But the point of the piece was primarily to highlight how the situation is experienced by young people and future prospects.
All of this, I have teenagers and it's horrendous. Even volunteer positions don't bother replying. University doesn't appeal at all, they don't want a massive debt with little chance of a job at the end of it.
This is a fantastic post but a deeply worrying one - and as a secondary school teacher of 20+ years, I've seen the aspirations of kids drop over that time. My own children are in their mid-20s now, and although they've both been employed since leaving education, I still worry for them and what their lives will be like. Successive governments have spent so much time sweetening the pot for older people - who tend to vote, and vote conservatively - that our young people have been shafted repeatedly. It's hardly surprising so many of them feel that politics has nothing to offer them. But as usual, I expect there will be several rounds of hand-wringing about this and years of consultations about reforming education etc. And nothing will be done at the end of it because there are too many vested interests pulling the other way.
Never fear Reform is here they will throw all NEETs out on the streets and tell them to do a Norman Tebbitt
I'm not sure if it's just me, but... This world where people use AI to submit job applications, to be reviewed by AI, only to be ghosted, by AI just seems to me be a wee bit like a nightmare dystopian vision were all being forced to live through by unelected, unaccountable overlords.
JG Ballard had nothing on this.
Its heartbreaking - and "Government" should be doing something about it. I think UBI would be a really good start, especially with the increase of AI filling physical jobs from under our noses.
When I worked, I spent two periods unemployed, once in the early 80's having been made redundant, and again in 2014. Both were totally soul destroying, with absolutely no help from the Joke Shop (Job Centre). I'm glad I've retired, but feel so sad for the current generation, and the shambles we've left for them.
Thought provoking piece Bear. I see young families and wonder if they thought of the consequences to their children of such a world. Perhaps all should aspire to be well remunerated politicians and change the world that way? 🤔 Goodness knows there's enough politicians currently who are a waste of taxpayers' money! Hoping your back is more comfortable now Bear x
Hammer Nail Head
Universities became businesses when funding changed to Student Loans. The whole process was then exacerbated by the 50% goal of Blair. Getting skills-based training to equivalence with an academic based ones is vital.
I am lucky to have 2 Millenial offspring in 'traditional' employment and doing well. My Gen Z niece and elder nephew are in degree related jobs. My younger nephew - seeing the way the wind is blowing - is trying to carve out a potential career in catering (unrelated to his degree). All (bar one) can see no end to their SL repayments but know they're lucky to have jobs/careers. The Gen Z ones have many friends who are still unable to get any work at all let alone degree-related ones.
i never thought of it in the you have explained, it must be horrendous for a person to come into the job sector and be constantly rejected, im have just retired, and have applied for jobs i am more than qualified to do, with absolutely no luck, and i now understand why.. 😏
UBI was what came to my mind reading through and then you mentioned it!
It would need the billionaires of the world to sanction it though, as,sadly, they're the ones in charge of the processes that AI can and will enhance.
Wouldn't it be brilliant though, if we could all do something that we were interested in and not have to worry about money.
I'm not sure what the point of this post was, except to make us feel even more depressed. Yes, we need to do all those things you suggest at the end, but how? Most of us feel (and are) powerless in this situation.
The point was really to explain how it is. Many people just aren't aware of life for NEETs. Being aware is the 1st step. We have to have hope that society can change and be part of making that change.
How?
We need to start with demanding political regulation of both the public and private managerial and CEO class’s plundering of taxes and worker’s profits. Even if younger generations are some of the lucky ones who are in secure gainful employment, the Thatcher era introduced structural capital extraction from the lowest to the highest paid is inexcusably iniquitous. This cross party neoliberal policy creates a huge financial imbalance which also results in a socially destructive feedback loop of lack of investment in places outside the City of London.
The UK is now are right back in an increasingly bitter class war like that of the pre WW 2 era.
Wowsers! An entire piece about youth unemployment that doesn’t even briefly reference employment-rights reforms that make it harder to fire workers or the tax rises that make it more expensive to employ people. Even though both issues disproportionately affect inexperienced and low productivity workers, e.g.., the young. This is quite an achievement! Bravo, señor Bear!
True. There was a great deal else that could have been mentioned. But the point of the piece was primarily to highlight how the situation is experienced by young people and future prospects.
I’d say these measures very directly impact their current experience and future prospects. Probably much more so than AI at this point.