The annual UK Youth Index set up by the Prince’s Trust earlier this year stated that young people’s happiness and confidence across a range of areas, from working life to mental and physical health should “ring alarm bells”. Wellbeing has fallen to the lowest level since 2009. The research, based on a survey of 2,194 respondents aged 16 to 25 revealed that three out of five felt stressed owing to jobs and money, while one in four felt “hopeless”, while a full half had experienced mental health problems. Young people are particularly disillusioned with the job market and future prospects. They are subject to unusual levels of redundancy and cancelation of contract. 54% said they were worried about their finances. Young women were particularly lack confidence and fear “not being good enough in general”.

Nick Stace, chief executive of the charity is quoted as saying, ”This is a generation rapidly losing faith in their ability to achieve their goals in life, who are increasingly wary of and disillusioned with the jobs market and at risk of leaving a wealth of untapped potential in their wake”. (Guardian Weekly 13/4/2018).

My comment: I am truly concerned for young people today. It is very tough for them. And yet….casting my own mind back to my youth I too (despite trying to hide it) lacked confidence. After multiple rejections of my CV and no explanations, my confidence tanked and I was fearful of unemployment, despite two years in the army and a good university result. I know what it’s like to be rejected. When I became an employer I swore to treat job applicants with respect, explain why they didn’t quite fit this particular job, and treat them like the vulnerable human beings they were. Are things more brutal nowadays, or just more competitive?