My 17 year old struggling to find any work

[Missypuddingchops]

So im really at my wits end atm, my dd is 17 and attends college 3 times a week, shes so she has 4 days where she is literally just at home, shes broken up from her 1st at college so now its all week apart from a driving lesson, she needs amd wants a job...not alot to ask but my god its sooo hard. Even for older people its hard but how are our youngsters meant to set themselves up for saving etc? Everywhere is all 'hand your CV in...basically just dumped on a pile with all the rest from 16/17 year olds desperate for work. Shes costing me a fortune! She must've applied for 15 jobs and handed in so many cvs in the last month and NOTHING! Even the supermarkets arent getting back to her...ive even asked in the town I work in...we are both so deflated

It really is difficult if you live somewhere with poor public transport and fewer job opportunities

well there’s no amount of help that’s going to overcome this issue is there ?

TBH if you live somewhere with poor public transport, then I think it's up to you (the parent) to do a fair bit of facilitating to help your DC get to job opportunities further afield. Your children did not choose to live there.

My DB and SIL live in such a place. SIL was "laughing" at her neighbour who makes a 40 minute round trip to pick her 17 year old up at 10pm after she finishes her job as a waitress. But guess what? That 17 year old has a job; SIL's children's only opportunities are the local shop and -um, so unsurprisingly do not.

Yes I think looking for a first job this summer is different than looking for a first job even 2 to 3 summers ago. I live somewhere with walkable, busses and trainable options. All the teens 2 to 3 years ago got jobs once they left school at 16 to go to college, with a little bit of effort, the ones in this cohort are just having no luck in comparison. Obviously some but far fewer.

The supermarket jobs are all online picking and they wont take under 18 as its before a certain hour.

The cafes and pubs all have grads who cant get a grad job and have experience, same with lifeguarding. Theres normally a churn but the last lot didnt head off to uni or went to local unis especially to keep thier job (I know this my older son works at the pool)

That’s a shame. I have a 19 year old who started there at 16. She can’t decide what uni course to do so is still at McDonalds. She became a crew trainer after a year and was always training new staff. Maybe it depends on the area.

TBH if you live somewhere with poor public transport, then I think it's up to you (the parent) to do a fair bit of facilitating to help your DC get to job opportunities further afield. Your children did not choose to live there.

Agree @redskyAtNigh There is no public transport here so until they passed their driving tests I was ferrying them back and forth - which meant 12am pickups!

Another one - that pays okay actually is Costa and Starbucks - they are constantly recruiting here, I always see the adverts.

Also - there are local FB groups here where local business often post they are looking for workers. Maybe see if anything like that exists?

It is hard op. My dd working at her dads was hard to get anything. Feel cafes are who knows who to get you in.

My kids aren't job age yet but it seems so much harder than it used to be. Could she get some work locally on a more self employed basis? I have one teenager who cuts my lawn once a fortnight, one who feeds our cat when we're on holiday, one who babysits when DH and I go out, and I know they all do the same for lots of other families. If she could get some babysitting or gardening work depending on her personality, then maybe volunteer somewhere doing something she's interested in she'll be gaining experience and making a bit of cash while she looks for something longer term.

I would hate to live somewhere with an infrequent bus timetable .We are lucky to be on a brilliant bus route. I would never want to move to a remote place .Has she got a lot of clothes s she could sell clothes ad then top it up buying decent things from charity shops. Is it possible you could move to a town or city as buses are much better .Otherwise you will need to offer lifts.

You have to pass the online test for the majority of supermarkets now. Someone you know who works there could do it for you but there’s absolutely no way around it because your application isn’t complete without it.

Another vote her for the NPLQ. My daughter has recently requalified after 2 years. She is now being trained as relief Duty Manager and will do the swimming teacher course in September. This all fits in well as she's taking a year out to save before university, even though she plans to study at home. She aims to save 10k in this year and I think she will manage it even with the expense of running her car. Yes, family paid for the running cost of her motorbike for the first year, but everything else she has achieved by herself. Plus there is no useful public transport where we live

Cleaning cars not as easy as that and you would need to invest on equipment and be able to get around

I mean, I can't magic jobs out of thin air. If there are truly no jobs in your area (do you live in an isolated rural place), then they will need to move. I would have thought that was perfectly obvious. Or do something remote. Surveys, matched betting etc will generate some cash short term.

TBH if you live somewhere with poor public transport, then I think it's up to you (the parent) to do a fair bit of facilitating to help your DC get to job opportunities further afield.

Which I did @redskyAtNigh . When DD had a gap year between school and university our local trains went on strike every Saturday, so I took her to work and picked her up. I also did the midnight pick ups over the Christmas period.

You are adamant that many young people aren't trying @Whyohwhy1973
People aren't going to up sticks and move just so that their teenager can get a temporary job while they are at school or college. It really isn't that simple. Your posts are not at all practical, constructive or helpful. There are loads of reasons why not everyone lives in cities or wants to live in cities.

Nope, I'm not English. I just hate Holocaust deniers and don't think they should be allowed on mumsnet.

She needs a profession, you can't let her out in the big scary world without the necessary equipment. Please insists she gets professional training in whatever her heart desires. But she needs skills, without them, she will never be confident to find a job. Don't push her out at 17 - she is not equipped.

I think for summer jobs you need to be looking from easter time to be honest. A lot of people seem to rely on applying via Indeed etc, but I think it’s also best to go in person / apply via companies own website. Typical jobs around my area for 16-20 years olds are kitchen porter in pubs / restaurants and hotels, waitress/ waiter, McDonald’s, Costa, family attractions eg local soft play etc. Once 18 cleaning and care work is available. My dd (16) is currently doing lifeguarding in a holiday park. Larger holiday parks offer live in accommodation so for those 18 plus that could be an option.
however both of my DC volunteered from the age of 13 ish, Riding for the Disabled, National trust, Litter Picking, local wildlife trusts, Babysitting, marshalling at local sports events. All of those gave them things to talk about at interviews and showed commitment.

No strike is every Saturday! Engineering works, yes.

Theres always volunteering and parents have to facilitate if you aren’t on a bus route.

Something needs to change dosent it? The way People find work. Do you think it's especially bad for everyone or just teens?

I stand corrected. In 2018 Northern Rail on our route went on strike nearly every Saturday between August bank holiday and Christmas. And yes, I facilitated by providing lifts.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/feb/06/northern-rail-industrial-action-called-off-after-conductor-guarantee