Unemployed young people in London are motivated, flexible and keen to work

A new report examining the impact of the recession on young people, has found that the majority of 18-24 year olds in London are highly motivated with a strong work ethic.

The report, 'False starts: restoring hope, dignity and opportunity to young people', published by Reed in Partnership, also identified a reluctance on the part of young people across the UK to consider unpaid activities that will help them find employment.

In a UK survey of over 1,200 unemployed young people, only 45% said they would take part in unpaid training, 44% in unpaid work experience, 39% unpaid voluntary work and just 36% would undertake an unpaid internship.

Young unemployed people in London were more willing to undertake unpaid work experience (49%) than young people in any other part of the UK. The use of work experience and internships is of the key ways that more young people can get the skills they need to enter work.

Interestingly, young people in London were also found to be least positive about apprenticeships at 57%, against a national average of 67% than any other region of the UK.

Chris Melvin, chief executive of Reed in Partnership, said: "With unemployment at its highest level since the early 1990s, young people are undoubtedly feeling the full force of the recession.

"We spoke to a number of young people who had served apprenticeships, become qualified within their industries but now find themselves out of work with few jobs to apply for. We heard how many people leaving university are not able to secure minimum wage jobs, let alone the graduate placements they had hoped for. We cannot allow these young people to become the lost generation of jobless people."

Words: Clare Riley

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