DS18 can’t get a job

[Nojobs]

My DS is in his final year at Sixth Form, he has been applying for jobs for months, about 90% of employers don’t respond and 10% offer him an interview, he feels it goes well, but then he doesn’t hear back. He was offered a job at a hotel, but he didn’t hear back for a few weeks, so he emailed them and 10 days later after he sent the email, they said the role had been filled by another member of staff, it appears they weren’t going to tell him.
He feels really deflated, he wants to earn some money to start driving lessons and save for university.
He has very good GCSE grades and predicted good grades for his upcoming exams.
What could be going wrong? Or is this just the current job market at the moment?

I have recently recruited for a weekend sales assistant. From my point of view, I wouldn't hire an 18 year old with no experience over a 16 year old with no experience. The training level is the same, but a considerable difference in pay rates. He needs experience and that could be achieved by volunteering or work experience.

I had over 130 applications for a four hour Saturday job. About half were immediately deleted for using unchecked AI generated material for the application. It stands out an absolute mile off when all applicants are using the same wording and is filled with irrelevant rubbish. Please make sure he isn't doing this.

Thanks, yes,I think she is signed up for alerts, but will check. She got one job (who paid for her course) but it was an hours journey and they stopped scheduling shifts for her, even though she was on time and happy there, interviewed for a couple of private clubs, applied to a lot more.

She is getting shifts now in the bar, although not very accessible by public transport.

Thanks for the suggestion, but she has a processing disorder so admin jobs aren’t ideal for her, she wants to join the fire service, but needs her driving licence and there are medical matters delaying that.

Fortunately we are in a position that she doesn’t need a full time job right now (but I’d like her to fund her own social life) so she is looking at enrolling for another BTEC qualification, just to enjoy herself (she’s a funny one who needs to be busy) and part time workaround it. If a full time job came up, she would be interested, but it would need to be physical work.

Agree with you.
That poster haven't got a clue about the current job market.

Is there any way you can fund his driving lessons or take him in your car?

My DC learnt with me and passed in 6 months at 17 and a half. It cost us less than £500 all in with insurance on our car and test fees.

If he can drive it may help him secure a job.

I don't know what kind of area you live in, OP, (rural/suburban/city, etc.) but I know quite a lot of our local college students are held back from job opportunities as they can't yet drive. Quite a lot of them seem to have picked up jobs on caravan parks of late (it's a rural but reasonably touristy area), dog walking or- if they can drive- on farms.

If you're rural, dairy farm shifts are ideal to fit around college courses (e.g. early morning milking, with time to nip home for a shower before college).