Fear of tanking job prospects for under 25s: Young people face employment nightmare as almost say their skills have declined during Covid pandemic
- The UCL Institute of Education surveyed 1,000 youngers aged between 16 to 25
- It found 44% feel their abilities slipped due to school and workplace closures
- As result, 53% of those polled in study said their career prospects are worsening
Young people have been left fearing for their future job prospects as almost half said their skills had declined because of the pandemic.
A survey of 16 to 25-year-olds by the UCL Institute of Education found 44 per cent feel their abilities slipped because of school and workplace closures.
As a result, 53 per cent of the 1,000 youngsters polled said their career prospects are worsening.
The study, done in February, concluded the lockdowns have severely limited young people’s ability to make themselves more employable.
Young people have been left fearing for their future job prospects as almost half said their skills had declined because of the pandemic (file photo)
Lead author Professor Francis Green said: ‘Our new evidence… confirms the heavy toll that the pandemic has wrought on young people’s lives.
‘As well as fearing a loss of skills and for their future career prospects, we found there was a sense of anxiety and hopelessness among many young people.’
The survey data used in the study was collected by Ipsos MORI.
Professor Green added: ‘The survey shows that the pandemic has had an effect on how young people see their future as well as their present state of well-being.
‘Coming into direct contact with Covid-19 themselves, or among their family and close friends, has failed to dent their optimism or life satisfaction.
‘But those who perceived a detrimental effect on their job skills development due to the pandemic were less optimistic about their chances of finding a well-paid and enjoyable job, and had lower satisfaction with life.’
A survey of 16 to 25-year-olds by the UCL Institute of Education found 44 per cent feel their abilities slipped because of school and workplace closures (file photo of pupils sitting exam)
The report also found that the deterioration in the acquisition of work skills was especially a problem for those in full-time education through the pandemic, with 58 per cent of these youngsters saying their learning had worsened.
In addition, 60 per cent of respondents said they felt more worried and anxious than before the pandemic.
About half felt less useful and less optimistic about the future.
Advertisement
