COVID-19 and youth employment
ThisCOVID-19 and youth employmentfactsheet looks at what employers can do to support young people in this challenging time, following the impact of the pandemic.
COVID-19 is having a wide-ranging impact on people’s lives and livelihoods with some predictions expecting the economic impact of the crisis on unemployment to last for at least five years. Already, young people have experienced significant disruption to their education and those who are in employment are among the groups of workers hardest hit by furlough and redundancies.
Past recessions have had devastating effects on young people’s employment prospects. A number of businesses and youth sector organisations are calling on the government to take urgent action to create jobs. These organisations are also asking for a ‘youth guarantee’ to prevent young people becoming NEET (not in employment, education, or training).
There are actions every employer can take now to mitigate against a ‘lost generation’ as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether that’s protecting jobs for young people within your organisation, inspiring the next generation of talent, removing barriers, and actively hiring young people or ensuring young people have development and progression opportunities.
About this factsheet
ThisCOVID-19 and youth employment factsheetprovides information on:
- the wider social and personal impact
- actions for employers
- case studies of good practice
- further information and support.
About Busines in the Community’s employment agenda
Creating meaningful employment is one of the most significant ways that business contributes to the livelihoods of individuals and communities, and is for many the only sustainable route out of poverty.
Offering a quality experience of work, adopting new approaches to recruitment, and breaking down barriers to entering work for people from disadvantaged groups can benefit business by tackling skills shortages, building new talent pipelines, boosting retention rates, and achieving higher productivity.
Read more about BITC’s employment agenda.
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Business in the Community is creating a skilled and inclusive workforce for today and tomorrow