Behind every application is a young person trying to take their first step. Toby’s voice note captures the reality. The frustration, the uncertainty and the determination to keep going. From hitting barriers around experience to facing silence after applying, his perspective reflects what so many young people are navigating right now. It’s an honest insight into a system that can feel difficult to break into, but also a reminder of the resilience young people continue to show.
What Toby said:
When young people are looking for a job it seems that there are less opportunities available. Entry-level vacancies have dropped significantly with reports of over a million graduates competing for a fraction of available positions.
A lot of young people get frustrated with the term ‘experience’. When you apply for jobs they give you a list of perks about the job, what you would be doing etc. Then you scroll down to the bottom and it says ‘experience is needed’. That’s where a lot of people get upset and think what’s the point?.
You cannot gain experience if you are not given the opportunity in the first place.
When you apply for a job you sometimes get silence. This means that the employer won’t reply to you which is another reason why young people get disillusioned put off applying for jobs. They also don’t give any feedback on the reason why you weren’t successful which I feel would be useful.
A lot of the job adverts seem to overcomplicate the job role in order to reduce the amount of people applying. Most websites make even the simplest of jobs quite daunting.
Pros of the current job market
The current job market offers strong wage growth (approx, 4.6%-5.1% in the uk).
- Strong wage growth
- Increased flexibility & benefits
- High demand for skilled talent
- Opportunities for career pivoting
- Rise of temporary & contract work
- Increased internal mobility
Cons of the current job market
- Declining vacancies
- Ghost jobs and slow hiring
- Intense competition
- Job hugging
An alternative for finding a job is doing an apprenticeship.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is where you learn about the job, get paid while doing it but you will have to study which means going to college.
This still requires a lot of coursework and studying, which if you’re not particularly academic can be quite off-putting.
Pros about having an apprenticeship
- Earn while you learn
- Practical experience
- Nationally recognised qualification
- Accelerated career growth
- Professional networking
- Support system
- No student debt
Cons about having an apprenticeship
- Lower pay
- High pressure and responsibility
- Limited flexibility
- Limited socal life and structure
- Competitive and complex entry
- Work-study balance and struggles
Final Thoughts from Inspire,
Right now, the job market is tough, especially for young people trying to take that first step. Competition is high, opportunities can feel limited, and the system doesn’t always feel built with young people in mind.
But there are signs of change.
The UK government has announced a major employment drive to help unlock 200,000 new jobs and apprenticeships for the next generation, recognising that young people need more accessible routes into work.
While it won’t fix everything overnight, it’s a step in the right direction. Because the reality is this: young people don’t lack motivation — they lack opportunity.
That’s where we come in.
At Inspire, we’re working directly with young people to build confidence, develop skills, and create real pathways into employment. Whether it’s through training, support, or hands-on opportunities, we’re here to help bridge that gap between potential and opportunity.
If you’re a young person feeling stuck, unsure where to start, or ready to take that next step, we’re here for you. YES. Youth employment service | Inspire
And if you’re an employer, partner, or supporter, now is the time to be part of the solution.
Because opening doors for young people today creates a stronger workforce tomorrow.
