Do you remember your first job?
For many of us, a Saturday or summer job was our first introduction to the world of work. Whether it was serving customers in a shop, working in hospitality, stacking shelves or working behind the checkout at Morrisons in Kingswinford, those early experiences can leave a lasting impression.
Recent figures reported by The Times and The Sunday Times show that fewer than one in five 16 and 17-year-olds are now in work, compared with almost half at the start of the century.
That decline matters. A first job is about much more than earning a wage. It gives young people the chance to build confidence, develop communication and teamwork skills, take on responsibility and understand the value of turning up, working hard and being part of a team. It can also help young people discover what they enjoy and what they might want to pursue in the future.
But employers are increasingly facing unnecessary red tape and barriers when it comes to employing younger workers. We need to make it easier, not harder, for responsible employers to give young people that vital first opportunity.
That’s why I’m backing the Save the Summer Job campaign and calling for unnecessary bureaucracy to be removed, so more businesses can offer Saturday and summer jobs to young people. If you agree, please click here to join the campaign on my website: https://www.mike4kss.com/campaigns/save-summer-job