For many young people, landing that first job is proving harder than ever. Experts suggest it’s not just the economy—it’s also a matter of preparedness. After years of disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, many young adults are entering the workforce without the social and professional skills they need to succeed.
According to the U.K. Office for National Statistics, nearly one million British 16- to 24-year-olds were NEETs—“not in education, employment, or training”—between July and September 2025. Even more concerning, almost 600,000 of them weren’t even actively looking for work.
A Perfect Storm of Challenges
The job market has changed dramatically in recent years. Artificial intelligence is eliminating some entry-level roles, while competition for remaining jobs has never been fiercer. Last year, the U.K. Institute for Student Employers reported more than 1.2 million applications for just 17,000 graduate roles. At the same time, job openings dropped nearly 10% year-on-year, leaving 2.5 unemployed people per vacancy, up from 1.8 the previous year.
It’s not just numbers—employers say many young people aren’t “work ready.” Former Labour Health Secretary Alan Milburn, who is leading an independent government review into NEETs, told The Times, “Young people don’t necessarily have work experience, and what they have learnt at school isn’t necessarily pertinent for the world of work.”
Generation Lockdown: The Social Skills Gap
Charity Shaw Trust, which helps people find employment, points to the Covid-19 lockdown as a key factor in Gen Z’s challenges. Chief Impact Officer Julie Leonard explains that virtual learning and extended time at home created a “socialisation gap,” particularly for those aged 20–24.
“You’ve got a lot of young people who missed out on years of in-person education, work experience, work readiness, and soft skills,” Leonard said. “Now they find themselves in a very difficult job market, with a recruitment landscape that has completely changed over the years.”
Soft skills—like teamwork, following instructions, and leadership—are critical for being work-ready, yet many young people didn’t get these opportunities during lockdown. Even simple skills like showing up on time or interacting with strangers were limited, leaving a gap in professional readiness.
The Decline of Early Work Experience
Historically, teenagers gained valuable workplace skills through part-time jobs—paper rounds, babysitting, gardening, or working in local shops. Milburn notes that these opportunities have sharply declined over the years, leaving fewer stepping stones for young people to learn work discipline and responsibility.
Big employers like KPMG and PwC have also noticed the gap. PwC introduced resilience training for new graduate recruits in 2025, while KPMG began offering soft skills workshops in 2023, focusing on teamwork and presentations. Both firms point to the pandemic as a major factor in the decline of “human skills” among young hires.
Back to Basics: Finding Work in Person
Leonard recommends a return to hands-on, old-school approaches for job hunting. Instead of relying solely on AI-generated CVs sent online—a method she calls “depersonalised and demotivating”—young people should engage directly with potential employers.
“Make a CV, walk down the high street, and have a conversation with a manager,” Leonard advises. “This builds resilience and confidence and opens doors.” Small businesses, cafes, bars, and local shops are often the best places to start.
According to Leonard, it’s not just about finding a job—it’s about learning the discipline, confidence, and interpersonal skills that are essential for long-term success. For young people trying to break into the workforce, sometimes the simplest approach—showing up and asking in person—can make all the difference.