Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

The current job market is dire?

77 replies

breakingpoint20 · 13/10/2025 19:53

Or is it just my area?

Theoretically, theres jobs. Getting them however is another story.

My son is 23. He lost his last job in January. Im not sure of the ins and outs, but he worked for a company that was contracted to do a role in another larger company and the contract was downsized and therefore their staffing levels reduced. He had worked there 18 months so was let go. Since then, nothing. Hes got basic maths and english gcse but no other qualifications that matters. He did 1 year of painting and decorating and 1 year if bricklaying but didnt go into either when he left college so has no experience. He cant drive. Hes applied for everything, from office jobs, to care roles, to warehouses, to factories. And getting nothing back. Office he is very dyslexic and doesnt get past the application stage, care want experience, warehouses and factories all want fork lift or driving even if its not specified on the job description. His mental health is in the floor. He had 1 interview last week and the man interviewing told them they wouldn't hire him looking like he does as he has a few ear piercings and a forearm tattoo! It was for cold calling telesales! Not even a public facing role.

He needs a job, he needs focus and something to do with his days. This is literally destroying him.

i need him to get a job. I have two other children in college and high school im supporting. All 3 are at home. Im a single parent, no financial help from their father (and not an option ive been fighting CMS for over a decade) my wage cant keep supporting all 4 of us. But despite his efforts, hes been unsuccessful. Ive done his CV for him, we look on indeed, glass door, directly to local businesses etc daily. He applies for everything he can, 100s of applications. But nothing.

is it the same everywhere?

OP posts:
WorriedMutha · 13/10/2025 20:00

I would strongly recommend he aims at voluntary work in an allied area. There are care roles or retail and they would help build his CV, plug the growing unemployment gap and build his self confidence. There will soon be Christmas retail opportunities and if he had a spell in a charity shop, he could get lucky. It really is just dumb luck but even though he might not be inclined to, voluntary work is a good all round option for his situation.

Hotpotnot · 13/10/2025 20:01

Whilst the job market is not great it doesn’t sound like he has much experience or many skills to offer? Why did he give up on the trades? Maybe an apprenticeship would be a good opportunity.

Crazybigtoe · 13/10/2025 20:01

The market is tricky.

I'm sure you have, but what about:

  • asking in local businesses directly (eg pubs, shops etc)
  • people you know that could give him work experience (trades or anything he is interested in) or a job
  • volunteer to get experience
  • odd jobs eg gardening for neighbours, local area, window cleaning - set up on SM and get more business
  • apply for apprenticeships
HRchatter · 13/10/2025 20:02

Its horrendous atm

breakingpoint20 · 13/10/2025 20:03

Hotpotnot · 13/10/2025 20:01

Whilst the job market is not great it doesn’t sound like he has much experience or many skills to offer? Why did he give up on the trades? Maybe an apprenticeship would be a good opportunity.

Because he was offered a job doing what he was doing prior to being letting go at the start of the year which was contracted hours, good money, and what he (we) thought was a secure role.

OP posts:
HRchatter · 13/10/2025 20:03

Get him a fork lift driver license or SIA from the job centre

breakingpoint20 · 13/10/2025 20:06

Crazybigtoe · 13/10/2025 20:01

The market is tricky.

I'm sure you have, but what about:

  • asking in local businesses directly (eg pubs, shops etc)
  • people you know that could give him work experience (trades or anything he is interested in) or a job
  • volunteer to get experience
  • odd jobs eg gardening for neighbours, local area, window cleaning - set up on SM and get more business
  • apply for apprenticeships

He asks locally regularly but theres nothing going.

Everyone i know locally works in areas like NHS, teaching, or jobs that require qualifications he doesnt and could have, he will never get into university etc, he just about scrapped the 4s in gcse with alot of additional support

Volunteering to gain experience is an option, however, its an option thats likely to add another expense on me with travel costs etc which i genuinely cannot afford. I run out of money way before pay day at the moment and im in a relatively decent job role myself.

OP posts:
EasternStandard · 13/10/2025 20:07

It’s very tough, I’m noticing it in older age groups too.

breakingpoint20 · 13/10/2025 20:08

HRchatter · 13/10/2025 20:03

Get him a fork lift driver license or SIA from the job centre

Doesnt exist anymore according to the work coach he spoke to. It requires funding from a business/employer not the job centre?

OP posts:
Crazybigtoe · 13/10/2025 20:18

Can he turn a hobby into a paid role? Eg football coaching (or any sports), 1-2-1 coaching, personal training
Washing cars, windows, power washing driveways?
Bike mechanic?
Seasonal work on a farm/ factory / shop
If he is claiming benefits then he should be able to cover his transport... Or get a bike?

Schnauzersaremyheros · 13/10/2025 20:24

Would he consider applying to the armed forces? It was something that I seriously considered for myself when I was made redundant from a previous job.

breakingpoint20 · 13/10/2025 20:27

Schnauzersaremyheros · 13/10/2025 20:24

Would he consider applying to the armed forces? It was something that I seriously considered for myself when I was made redundant from a previous job.

We dont think he would be accepted due to an injury he had at 18 to his back and hip. Its something he spoke about a month or so ago but didnt take further.

OP posts:
Spanglemum02 · 13/10/2025 20:28

A lot of shops are taking on Christmas staff but it is competitive. I really feel for both of you. Hope he gets something soon.

Femalemachinest · 13/10/2025 20:29

Are the folk lift licence under necessary skills? Granted this is just 2 warehouses but my job and previous both do in-house training. Obviously they would prefer people who can already do this but plenty have learnt at work

Schnauzersaremyheros · 13/10/2025 20:30

breakingpoint20 · 13/10/2025 20:27

We dont think he would be accepted due to an injury he had at 18 to his back and hip. Its something he spoke about a month or so ago but didnt take further.

It might be worth speaking to someone in an armed forces careers office (if you have one nearby).

breakingpoint20 · 13/10/2025 20:30

Crazybigtoe · 13/10/2025 20:18

Can he turn a hobby into a paid role? Eg football coaching (or any sports), 1-2-1 coaching, personal training
Washing cars, windows, power washing driveways?
Bike mechanic?
Seasonal work on a farm/ factory / shop
If he is claiming benefits then he should be able to cover his transport... Or get a bike?

He isnt claiming benefits. He went to the job centre to ask about help finding a job but all they did was offer to help him sign on, but he didnt as he didnt expect it to be so hard to find another job

OP posts:
Crazybigtoe · 13/10/2025 20:34

Does his dad have contacts he could use to get work? He might want to look like the hero even if not paying maintenance....🥴

reesewithoutaspoon · 13/10/2025 20:35

He needs to sign on. You can't afford to support 4 adults on one wage.
At least then he can cover stuff like travel and phone costs etc

Spanglemum02 · 13/10/2025 20:35

He needs to claim benefits. That's what they're for. I know UC is about £300 a month. Not a lot but better than nothing.

breakingpoint20 · 13/10/2025 20:35

Crazybigtoe · 13/10/2025 20:34

Does his dad have contacts he could use to get work? He might want to look like the hero even if not paying maintenance....🥴

The chance to ask would be a fine thing, hes been MIA for over 10 years

OP posts:
Birch101 · 13/10/2025 20:36

He needs to sign on, use the money for transport to interviews and voluntary roles, does he have computer skills- european computer driving license perhaps?

Maybe look into youth care based rolls...

jbm16 · 13/10/2025 20:37

Have you tried temp agencies they are normally a good way to gain experience, apprenticeships are in short supply, can he learn to drive, do online training courses, unless you live in city not being able to drive is a big disadvantage.

BlueMum16 · 13/10/2025 20:37

Can he swim?

Lots of local councils round here provide lifeguard qualifications or swim teacher qualifications if you agree to work for them for 2 years.

I'm North West, Wigan, Warrington and Halton often do this. There may be others.

If not he needs to look for an apprenticeship and stick with it.

Crazybigtoe · 13/10/2025 20:40

breakingpoint20 · 13/10/2025 20:35

The chance to ask would be a fine thing, hes been MIA for over 10 years

Ugh. Helpful. Sorry.

Your son needs some luck. Its heartening that he didn't sign on straight away as he wants to actually get a job- tbh I'd use that as a hook when looking 'hey do you have any roles coming up. I really don't want to sign on and so am looking for something - even part time or casual to start with'. Some people (like me...) like a grafter and will be more likely to dig deeper and find something.

HepzibahGreen · 13/10/2025 20:40

Please do persuade him to sign on- he’s entitled to it and it will help. It will also give him his NI stamp.
My youngest got a Xmas temp retail
job, and lots of shops have been advertising. Just temporary but would give some breathing room.
He should think about trying to train in a trade. I was looking for a tiler for ages, they seem to be very busy!
It is really tough out there right now though OP, I really feel for him ( and you).