There were around 32.7 million people employed in the UK in the three months to April 2022. This is just above the figures for the same period last year. That’s according to the latest Government statistics which illustrate how the economy is managing in the light of the Covid 19 pandemic. During the past couple of years, we were encouraged to stay at home as much as possible and only go out when absolutely necessary to avoid any chance of the virus spreading from person to person more easily. This left the economy struggling as people weren’t able to go out and shop in their usual manner and had to survive on the bare essentials.
The UK employment, unemployment and economic inactivity rates are adjusted seasonally which means there were long periods where the unemployment rate was high, almost tipping the economy in to recession. Gaining employment can be a tough task for anyone. The job market is a very competitive place with some industries more so than others. There also could be some aspects which might put some people at a further disadvantage to others in their search to find work. These can include having a disability or other health related issues.
Some local authorities believe that if a job is available, someone should take it if they are in need of work. There are however certain things which need to be considered before accepting any job. The right kind of support needs to be put in place to ensure that people can manage in a job that they manage to get. If someone has a disability, they may have mobility issues which can make it difficult or impossible for them to travel on their own with out the right kind of help and support. This can include things like having a driver or a PA who can help them travel to and from different meetings and manage in a work place setting.
Some employers might also have worries about hiring someone who has a disability or other health condition as adjustments will need to be made to the work place to make it more accessible for people who are disabled and in need of extra support. That’s why when there could be something that could give people a fighting chance at landing their dream job, they’d jump at the chance to get it.
Every year the government runs schemes which are aimed at giving young people a fighting chance at landing a job and getting their first step on the career ladder. This includes the Kickstart Scheme which helps provide funding for employers to create jobs for 16-24 year olds on Universal Credit. This helps them gain a footing in the employment industry and enables them to start earning a living for them selves which makes them more independent in the long run.
Unfortunately this year’s scheme has now closed for new applicants however new schemes are opening all the rime with the same aim of helping to get more young people in to employment.
“The kickstart programme has reignited my enjoyment of learning. It has helped me develop my interpersonal skills and improve my confidence. During the pandemic, I noticed an unevenness between my technology-based communication and face-to-face communication. But, after attending in-person events like networking meetings and job fairs, I feel this imbalance has been restored. Our daily team meeting allows us to update each other on progress made the previous day. These meetings have been key to my development in areas such as: – Goal setting – Problem-solving – Creative thinking – Decision-Making Unlike the usual work environment, Linda’s management style allows us all the freedom to share our ideas and devise our own solutions. This gives each of us ‘room’ to grow. Although we all work from home, I’d consider us a tight-knit team that encourages each other to take on new challenges.”
That’s according to one applicant from last year’s intake.
If you’d like more information on schemes that provide support to young people to help them get in to employment, keep an eye on www.gov.uk for the latest updates.
