UK EMPLOYERS - Why don't you employ school leavers anymore?

Question

When I left school I was offered 3 jobs with three of the then "big four" banks, as a cashier. I'm not clever and my exam results were average. Kids nowadays are smarter than they used to be but find it so much more difficult to find work. If I hade my own business I would make it a point to employer youth without experience. They have to start somewhere. My daughter has been looking for a job since last September with no joy.

Answer 1

For the same reason as what I told you when you posted almost the same question on Friday.

In this country, there are many EU citizens emigrating here and Australians/New Zealanders/South Africans coming here for long-term working holidays. These people only want entry-level jobs as well, but tend to be university-educated and are a bit older, so they are more mature in their outlook and already have some work experience. Not only that, but EU citizens have the advantage of being bilingual or multilingual, and let's face it, most foreigners are a lot harder working than most UK citizens.

So why would someone employ a school leaver? I'm not meaning to be harsh, the bottom line is that there is stiff competition for many jobs and school leavers have little to offer.

Answer 2

Firstly i have no idea where you get the idea kids are smarter now! I don't think so - you only have to look at the standards of English on here for example. There are absolutely loads of jobs so I can't understand why your daughter has failed to get one - maybe she needs to try harder or broaden the scope of what she is willing . And if you had your own business you would soon understand why people tend not to employ very young people - they are often of limited use, unreliable and you have to pay them more than they are worth. I would always choose an older person because they are better value for money.

Answer 3

Its high risk and dead money - all companies now are looking for longevitiy. School leavers are more likely to leave after a couple of years to persue a career or travel etc etc.
Also the fact that a school leaver has no interest in applying themselves and going to college or uni is not a good sign.

Answer 4

because 99% gcse's or not are not capable of upholding decent job untill they are 19-20 ( i know i wasnt)

and if an employee has the choise between a 20 somethinf with 4 years experience at Mcdonalds or a 20something with 3 A levels a degree and 4 years past time employment...

Who would you pick?

Answer 5

Unreliable,lazy and binge drinking skunk-smokers-well, some of them are!.
They finish work at 12 on Friday and don't start back until Tuesday 10:00 a.m-if your lucky.
They expect to be in the office, trawling through their e-mails, feet up, drinking from the bosses cup.
They DEMAND respect before they've even learnt it, expect a sub on Thursday and wont pay back because they think its your own fault for lending it them in the first place.
Once a job has been allocated to their liking,They don't know how to think for themselves once the menial task of their ten minute chore, standing, waiting for the kettle to boil has ended!.
I could go on-but I'm wasting my precious dinner hour!!!.

Answer 6

people don t do it now as kids are seen as more unreliable now then a few years ago. Also company's can t be bothered training people now it is easier to get experience but it leaves the question how can you get experience if no one will give you it crazy isn t it.