Nearly 800,000 young adults weren't in education, employment or training in 2023

20 October 2023 , 14:42

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Nearly two-thirds of young adults feel there is not enough support to help them land their first job (Image: SWNS)

Over half of young adults fear they are being left behind in the job market, research has revealed. A study of 4,000 people, aged 16 to 25, found 65% believe there is not enough support available to get them into work.

Six in ten feel it is hard to land a job without having a connection or “way in”, and 54% are worried they will get left behind in the jobs market.

Recent ONS figures have shown the number of young people not in education, employment, or training rose to almost 800,000 in 2023.

The research was commissioned by KFC and UK Youth, which has launched an “inclusive members club”, The “Kentucky Club”, to give young people access to the skills, connections, and opportunities needed to land their first job.

Opening in Birmingham on October 27, it will offer a mix of inspirational talks from some famous faces and popular YouTubers Nella Rose and Luke Vernon, alongside networking, job opportunities, and practical skills development from partners including UK Youth, Apprentice Nation, Channel 4 ’s 4Skills, and LadBible.

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There will also be a live recording of the 3 Shots of Tequila podcast, a DJ set from Kisstory DJ Tinea Taylor, and a special musical performance from a secret guest.

Nearly 800,000 young adults weren't in education, employment or training in 2023

Nearly 800,000 16-25-year-old were not in education, employment, or training this year (SWNS)

Meg Farren, general manager at KFC UK & Ireland, said: “We believe every young person who wants a job should be able to get one.

“But without the right connections, experience, or even background, getting that first job can feel impossible for so many young people today.

“The Kentucky Club will offer the networking, mentoring, skills development, and access to jobs and opportunities that you may get from traditional members clubs – but without the exclusivity or price tag.”

The club's launch is the latest move from the brand to open doors for young people into the world of work – building on the roll-out of “Hatch”, a national youth employability programme designed and delivered with UK Youth, launched last year, which will help some 6,000 young people land their first job.

As the youngest city in Europe, with under-25s accounting for nearly 40% of the population, the number of young people out of work in Birmingham is substantially greater than the national average.

But by 2030, the brand plans for a third of all new hires to be young people who have faced barriers, coming through the Hatch programme.

Ndidi Okezie, CEO at UK Youth, added: “There are thousands of young people across the UK without the opportunity, support, or key skills needed to secure stable employment – and the lingering effects of the pandemic, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, have only made the situation harder.

“Government support and investment in young people is vital – but so is the partnership between youth work and businesses, if we want to help the next generation succeed.

“Our Hatch employability programme helps thousands of disadvantaged young people develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed. The Kentucky Club is a fantastic project which will provide essential networking, mentoring, and skills development to young people.”