Young people losing hope of getting ‘dream job’

More than a third of young people believe their future goals now seem ‘impossible to achieve’, according to a new survey for the Prince’s Trust.

The survey of 2,000 16 to 25-year olds found 36% of young people surveyed say they have ‘lost hope’ for the future.

According to the research, more than half of young people (55%) say the coronavirus crisis has made them fearful for their future, while 46% say thinking about their future makes them feel ‘hopeless’.

More than half (58%) of young people are ‘scared’ of being unemployed, while almost half (48%) of NEETs surveyed are worried they will ‘never get a job’.

And 41% of young people believe their future goals will be ‘impossible to achieve’, with this rising to half (50%) of those surveyed from poorer backgrounds.

A similar number (38%) feel they will ‘never succeed in life’, and this increases to almost half (48%) of those surveyed from poorer homes.

‘We have an aspiration gap, with young people losing hope for the future and, sadly, those from disadvantaged backgrounds being hardest hit. It is truly a responsibility for all of us to ensure the odds don’t stay stacked against these young people,’ said the Prince’s Trust’s UK chief executive, Jonathan Townsend.

‘We must support them to upskill, retrain and access job opportunities, or else we risk losing their ambition and potential to long-term unemployment – to the detriment of their future and to the recovery of our economy.’

The report released today comes as The Prince’s Trust marks the support of its millionth young person, at a time when a deepening jobs crisis is hitting young people the hardest.

‘As The Prince’s Trust marks this significant milestone of supporting a million young people, we face very difficult times for a generation just starting their working lives,’ said Mr Townsend.

‘More than half a million young people are already unemployed, and as they miss out on vital education, training and job opportunities, millions more are at risk of being left behind. Young people need us now more than ever, and we know from experience that even the smallest interventions can be a turning point towards a more positive future.

‘Government, employers and charities must work together and act now to prevent a lost generation.’

Photo Credit – StartUpStockPhotos (Pixabay)