Every generation faces criticism from the one before, but Gen Z isn’t just being criticised, they’re being locked out of the workforce. “Young people don’t want to work” has become an easy headline, yet mounting evidence suggests something different: the system is failing them.
The UK is witnessing a rise in young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). Employers say young applicants aren’t “job ready,” while those applicants say they can’t afford to accept the jobs they’re offered. It’s a feedback loop of lost opportunity.
So, what’s really going on? Discover the common reasons, and solutions such as apprenticeships, in this article.
Youth unemployment figures in the UK
As of early 2025, 12.5% of young people in the UK aged 16-24 are classified as NEET, amounting to 987,000 individuals. That number includes both the unemployed and those who have simply stopped looking, often due to disillusionment.
A report from UK Youth warns that harmful stereotypes are fuelling this crisis, feeding employer reluctance and compounding the problem. Meanwhile, CIPD research reveals that over half of UK employers believe young people are not ready for the workplace, citing gaps in “soft skills” like communication, punctuality, and professionalism.
However, that’s only one side of the story.
According to a Guardian report, a third of young people have had to turn down job offers because of the high cost of commuting or housing, especially in large cities where most jobs are concentrated.
In short: many young people want to work. They just can’t afford to.
What’s really driving unemployment among young people?
1. Entry-level jobs aren’t affordable
Many entry-level jobs pay minimum wage, but they come with hidden costs: travel, food, uniforms, even the upfront expenses of starting work. If a role pays £400 a week and commuting costs £80–£100, that’s up to a quarter of earnings gone before bills or rent are even considered.
For young people in rural areas, where jobs may be far away, or those from low-income households who can’t lean on parental help, these costs make work unaffordable.
It’s not that they don’t want the job, they just can’t afford to take it. In fact, The Guardian reports that many young people are actively turning down job offers because the cost of getting to work is higher than the income they’d earn.
2. The pandemic widened the gap
The long shadow of COVID-19 is still visible. According to the Open University, 25% of young people say the pandemic severely delayed their career development. Education was interrupted, work placements were cancelled and the social skills that develop through part-time jobs and internships never had a chance to form. This left a generation undertrained, under connected, and underconfident.
3. Cultural shift in expectations
Young people today have different values than the generations before. Gen Z places greater emphasis on mental health, work-life balance, and purposeful work. They’re not rejecting hard work, they’re rejecting work that can often exploit their desperation for opportunities.
Yet many traditional roles don’t offer flexibility, personal growth or employee upskilling programmes. This disconnect breeds disinterest, not because youth aren’t motivated, but because the system hasn’t evolved to match their priorities.
Learn why you should use apprenticeships to upskill your employees, here.
4. Lack of support and guidance
Today’s school-to-work pipeline is thin and brittle, and many schools still push academic paths while undervaluing vocational or creative routes. Career guidance is inconsistent, and real-world preparation, like CV building, interview training, or networking, is often missing altogether. Young people without personal connections or mentoring are left navigating a maze with no map.
Young worker stereotypes are making things worse
The idea that young people are lazy, entitled, or disloyal has become a mainstream narrative, however, UK Youth points out that these labels are not only inaccurate, they’re damaging. They lead to employer bias, with hiring managers admitting they assume younger candidates will struggle with resilience or basic professionalism.
This isn’t just a cultural issue, it’s a structural one. If young people are seen as problems rather than assets, they’ll be filtered out before they’ve even had a chance to prove themselves.
What employers are getting wrong
1. Hiring for experience over potential
Too many “entry-level” jobs require 1–2 years of experience, automatically excluding first-time workers. The HR Director reports that 60% of young people feel job descriptions are designed to screen them out, not in.
Employers who expect polished performance from day one, without training or mentorship, are misunderstanding the purpose of junior roles.
It’s not just about hiring someone who fits the job today. It’s about developing people who will help shape your business tomorrow. - Total People
2. Over-focusing on degrees
Despite rising tuition costs and debt, many companies still prioritise degrees over vocational routes, yet the workplace increasingly needs skills, not diplomas. This gatekeeping locks out talented individuals who could thrive with hands-on learning or practical experience.
3. Failing to onboard properly
When young people do get hired, they often report a lack of clear expectations, feedback, or structure. Employers expect them to “figure it out”, but without guidance, frustration mounts, and turnover follows.
4. Underpaying and over-expecting
If employers want motivated, reliable, and driven people, they need to pay enough to make the role viable. Many young workers are turning down jobs, not because they don’t want them, but because the wages won’t cover basic living costs. Offering minimum wage for roles that demand full-time hours, commuting, and immediate performance isn’t attractive, it’s exploitative.
If employers want commitment, energy, and loyalty, they need to show that the job respects the realities of modern life. That means paying a fair wage, not just the legal minimum.
Apprenticeships are the way forward
Unlike traditional academic paths, apprenticeships offer a practical, paid, skill-building route into employment. They blend real-world training with classroom instruction and are designed to meet the actual needs of employers.
Apprenticeship providers are up-to-date with the knowledge around Gen Z working behaviours and challenges, and can help build skilled professionals, where 91% of apprentices remain in work or education after completing their programme.
Not only do apprenticeships develop both technical and soft skills (which employers say young people lack) they also reduce hiring risk by giving companies the chance to train talent from the ground up.
Despite these advantages, only 6% of young people aged 16–24 are currently undertaking apprenticeships. That’s not because of disinterest, it’s because of lack of access, information, and opportunity.
Employers tell us again and again, they don’t just want a hire; they want someone they can shape and grow. That’s exactly what apprenticeships deliver. - Total People
How to improve career opportunities for young people
To truly support young people entering the workforce, employers need to move beyond degree requirements where they’re not essential, and instead focus on practical skills, the right attitude, and a person’s ability to learn.
That means creating genuine entry-level roles that don’t demand prior experience, provide clear and supportive training, and offer a wage people can realistically live on. Investing in apprenticeships is also key, not just as a way to fill positions quickly, but as a long-term strategy to grow talent from within.
Just as important is ongoing support. Pairing new hires with mentors who can guide them, build their confidence, and help them navigate the workplace makes a huge difference in helping young employees thrive.
Apprenticeships as a solution for young people unemployment in the UK
Apprenticeships aren’t just good for creating jobs for young people, they’re a smart move for employers. By partnering with Total People, one of the UK’s top apprenticeship providers, you can shape motivated, work-ready talent to meet your business needs.
Total People take care of the training, support, and compliance, so you can focus on developing future employees who grow with your company. If you're ready to build your workforce from the ground up, contact us today.
