The current job market is dire?

[breakingpoint20]

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?

Delivery and uber yeah, but he cant drive. Carers decorators and cleaners not here, atleast not on any of the jobs sites we check. Care work is pretty much all childrens home and home care, both require a driving licence and access to your own vehicle.

There’s a staffing shortage in almost all leisure centres and because of this they will likely provide training through the ranks quite quickly - water assistant, lifeguard, swim teacher, first aid

I think if he signs up to an agency, he'll be sent to do jobs that come up and cleaning and general jobs like that who send people to clean offices and schools and other buildings need people most of the time. People go off sick, they get better jobs, they up and leave and theres normally quite a lot going on

Hes registered at the two local agencies but yet to hear back as all they have is driving based jobs.

He needs to claim benefits (and they might be able to be updated by up to 3 months) - so that he can a) use the money to support himself rather than you, b) access further support and c) make sure he gets NI credits.

It is really tricky at the moment. Combination of last budget ( thanks Labour !) and companies cutting back, plus impact of AI starting to bite. It’s a number game - gotta apply for loads and loads and persevere even when feel really dismayed.

my 17 year old spent a year and over 100 applications just for Saturday job, it is hard

@breakingpoint20 would he consider the royal navy? You can get qualifications whilst earning. Tough to start with but if he keeps his head down and takes orders gets easier once he passes out. Ds2 has come on leaps and bounds since joining.

The utter lack of public transport everywhere except London a massive barrier too. It’s insane that a car is a necessity for so many low paid jobs. Agree that care jobs often need a car, ditto cleaning if it’s early mornings. Not postie job but maybe a sorting office(if he can get to one) as they often hire this time of year?
Also worth looking at NHS- hospital porter maybe?

Is he in touch with your local FE colleges adult education centre? Ours sometimes runs funded training in things like forklift, scaffolding, even welding.
They also help recruit for employers and train for jobs.
Going on any course at all might help keep his spirits up.
Can he clean, shop, cook for you in the meantime? Be good for his self esteem and routine.

What's your primary issue op? Him getting money in to help you, or him getting started in a job for his own sake? Because the two basically are different. If you need him to get money in, asap, and can't/won't support him financially to get skills or qualifications, or things like a CSCS card or forklift license, he simply isn't going to be terribly employable and benefits will get money into the household faster.

Its a shame for him though - young people who "fail to launch" while still young tend to have a harder time of it in life

Has he registered with the right agencies as there should be some who offer factory and warehouse work too. Get him doing free courses to add to his CV as well as volunteer work. Can he do bar work?

The young man can’t drive yet.

What sort of interests does he have? There are remote volunteering opportunities. What sort of thing might he be able to help with? Admin? Events? Graphics? Social media? Volunteering is a great way to get some experience for his CV.

Have you tried for the Mobility element of PIP. DD struggles with planning journeys / public transport etc. she’s get Mobility element which is paying for her to learn to Drive .. and once she can drive she won’t need the PIP anymore.

I do think college & training might be the best option for him. DD counts as an Adult now, but gets her course free.. which has been great.

Id love nothing more than to be able to support him to get these things to up his skills. However. Im paying rent, council tax, water, gas, electric, internet, 4 phones, food for 4 adults, clothing and shoes, haircuts, cleaning products, bathing products, hair cuts, travel costs too and from college plus art supplies for their course, school costs, cat food, litter and monthly wormer/flea treatments, my gym membership which is the only treat i have these days, etc etc etc with £2000 a month coming in and with no additional support other than child benefit and about £60 a month income universal credit. So its not a wont help him, its a i cant further than i am already.

On what basis would he qualify for PIP mobility exactly ??

He could walk into a care job. The industry is always looking for staff, all over the country.

I do feel for your son but I see it on the other side.
I am recruiting for a Cleaning job, in Scotland
Its been advertised since August
No had one single applicant 🥲
Its probably the wage that puts people off which is ashame

He needs to drive for most of those how many times has OP said he cannot drive abd she cannot afford to put him through lessons evej if she could have you seen how hard it is to get a test date lately?

Easily accessible by public transport ?

he’s in a catch 22 - can’t afford to learn to drive without a job

Yeah, it's near the local hospital which has buses running all the time
I walk it and I'm about 30 min away
I also have other cleaners who live an hour and walk it

This is a bit worrying OP.... Obviously he should contribute but at some point he's going to leave home and you'll need to be able to manage financially without a contribution from him?
Do you have a plan in place?

Not sure if this is available in your area OP but in my area there is something called ‘bike to work’ (or something like that) where they fund your cbt and costs of bike gear and a small (125cc) motorbike/moped and claim it back in instalments once you get a job. Might help him get to jobs that are not accessible by public transport and/or open up delivery jobs like Deliveroo. I think dominos even offer this if you don’t have a cbt already. Not a perfect solution but it might help get a foot in the door and mopeds/bikes are massively cheaper to run than cars, insurance on mine is less than £20 a month.

Yeah, when im not paying 4x phones, travel costs to college, uniforms school trips and lunches, clothing, food for 4 people etc etc ill have more than enough just for myself. Same for my other 2 children, they will eventually leave. Unfortunately my ability to earn more is not an option, im a nurse, pay is what it is. I live in a council property, rent doesnt get much cheaper and downsizing isnt an option I obviously didnt plan on having 3 children on my wage, i was married in a 2 income household in a house we owned when they were planned and born. My husband walked out and left us all, he never saw or supported the kids from that day.

So for now, i have to cut my cloth acordingly, which means all luxuaries are gone pretty much. Life doesnt go the way you plan it, and some thing are beyond our control. So for now, im broke. But when im not paying for 4 adult sizd humans on my wage, ill be less broke.

I ignored this on the basis it was ridiculous lol

He has, however, applied for UC today, so fingers crossed they can help him get back into work, and maybe offer some training etc in the mean time.