DS can't find a job. What about the gap now?

[Candleab]

DS is 19. Had a very bad time mental health wise, all managed at home as GP was useless and he's a bloke so wouldn't engage (private therapy)
Our family suffered a very stressful time whilst he was at college, a really bad event.

He left college at the end of his first year with no As levels.

He got a job which he enjoyed for a while but the environment wasn't great and so he lined up another job through a friend and handed his notice in.

The job fell through.

This was in November of last year.

He's been applying but just got nowhere.

Just retail jobs, customer service etc... But the previous job wa sin a completely different field so he has no retail experience.

It's been months now and I'm on disability benefits and I didn't want him to be in benefits so I've just been funding him out of my money but turns out I've been paying extra rent every month because he's a non dependant and was still down as working. My rents gone up.

I don't know what to do, he has been applying. I've sat with him many times whilst he sends off applications but nothing. Not even an interview.

He has no friends. He doesn't leave the house.

I'm just so worried and now there's a big gap in his employment too on his limited CV.

I'm scared his mental health is going down hill again.

The NHS offer lots of apprentiships and not just pure medical/frontline roles too.
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/study-and-training/nhs-apprenticeships

You said he previously worked in childcare. Has he considered being a play specialist? Nanny? Baby sitting locally?

We have Routes to work in my area that can help with CVs, interview techniques and finding jobs. I've just googled and there's a similar scheme in Manchester called One Manchester who do employment and skills support sessions and can help with CV writing, filling out applications, training programs etc.

He’d be snapped up in my area if he wanted childcare work of any sort

He needs his CV looked at. There's no way a 19 year old who WANTS to work would have had no interest at all in 5 months. He's either not actually applying or something is putting them off and it won't be a gap of a few months.

You don't need an expert. Check the basics. Spelling, grammar, what is he putting down as interests? Does he come across on paper as confident, friendly, someone employers will want to meet? I'm happy to look it over if you want, just black out the name, contact and school info.

I have just applied for ESA.

Claim started 4th March, work coach interview a couple of weeks ago.

A previous PP said it was a legacy benefit only but it seems to be open to at least my claim?

Yes the UC ppl should be able to help him gwt his cv together etc

Did he enjoy childcare? I'm quite shy and social aspect of work can be hard but I love preschool children! No negativity and just easier than mixing with adults all day!
What about training in childcare, a teaching assistant or special needs?

Retail doesn't sound like a match cut someone who is shy. A picker or warehouse worker (does he have a license)? A friends son worked for Sainsbury's stocking shelves at 5am in his gap year.

Hi OP, please get your son to register on the https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship this is where most apprenticeships are advertised. You also need him to tailor his CV to each job (match as many of the skills as he can to what the job is asking). Lastly, tell him to set up an application tracker (spreadsheet if he can use it) so he can keep track of what he has applied for, closing date and date he can follow up asking how his application is progressing. Good luck! I know it isn't easy.

No he can't drive. Can't afford it until he's employed.

All the warehouse type jobs are on industrial estates with poor transport links.

Sounds like he needs to build up his confidence first. What about online courses to start with and volunteering for a year.

Charity shops/food banks are always after volunteers, be up front say he would prefer to work at the back sorting stock. Start with 4 hours once a week and build up. If he's struggling to get a job he needs experience.

i'm sure you're doing your best. Don't be embarrassed. It's tough out there.

re: apprenticeships - they're for all ages these days and certianly worth looking into

https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices

He could get a taxi to and from work. Anything to get him back in the workforce. Even if this meant he only brought home a small amount of pay it would break the cycle

Absolutely this.

I second what @WaltzingWaters suggested.
A 19yo lad who is keen to work would get snapped up in the care sector - particularly offering support work to young people with additional needs.

It can be hard work, but it can also be incredibly rewarding, and a whole lot of fun.
He will meet people from all walks of life, and will be accepted at face value.

I did it 28 years ago, because I didn't know where else to turn - and I'm still in the sector now.

Good luck to you both 😊

Third suggestion about care work. Both my nephew and I started out in this way having struggled socially in school and with MH issues. He has worked with adults with learning diffs for a number of years now, he is gentle and shy and highly regarded. And now at 27 he has a place at uni to train as a nurse. I went into the homelessness sector and ended up training as a social worker. Neither of us had any prior experience when we started work in our late teens; they are crying out for staff.

That’s a bit harsh. I did a CV for a young person I know who had had a tough time and used a contact to get a foot in the door.

Of course the lad’s mum wants to help him, who wouldn’t in the circumstances.

The other issue is he doesn't drive, obviously unaffordable atm and all the warehouse jobs are off in industrial areas that don't really have great public transport.

Is there an Amazon depot anywhere near you? The Amazon place a few towns away from here runs a bus service for its workers, to places where they can pick up local buses.

My elder son left school with only a few qualifications as he had ADHD. It did I
Prove as he grew up though. He got a job as a Drivers Mate delivering furniture. Then his employer offered him to become a van driver so he did that. Then after a couple of years they offered him Class 2 lorry driving training. He did that and passed his test. After 3 years he did the class 1 lorry driving course and passed his test. He's been a class 1 lorry driver for about 10 years and it is a shortage area. Most of the drivers seem to be coming up for retirement. Many companies will put a person through training if they prove reliable and hard working.

You must have a community shop, charity shop or food bank near you where he could volunteer and get both experience and a reference?

In the meantime he needs to sign up for benefits. YOur rent has gone up your council tax will too.

You can do some apprenticeships at any age. Our oldest was in his 30s.

Great suggestions on here op, i also recommend doing voluntary work, even sorting things at local baby banks etc.

I am also happy to look at his cv for you if you can get it over to me this morning.

If he hss experience with children, msybe contacted all the local soft play centres to see if they have vacancies.

Absolutely don’t dismiss retail work for this - it’s a great industry to start you off learning the basic skills of work, interaction - lots of transferrable skills. Has he applied for some of the big box retailers like B&Q? They are normally pretty good at taking on a wide range of people.

Ok, i work in recruitment. It's a tough job market but the retail snd hospitality sectors are struggling to find good people.

If he cant get paid work he must volunteer. Charity shop?

How is he going about his applications? Have you helped him? Worth a chat with him. He just needs to stand out a tiny bit.

I frequently get emails from young people with a CV attached: no cover email or message. I delete immediately. I get enough email of good applications to filter through

Dont they teach these basic skills in schools anymore?

Agree