Jobs for 14 Year Old Boy ???

[damepeanutbutter]

My DS is 14 and is desperate to take on a part-time job for some extra pocket money. He doesn't want to do babysitting and he has tried getting a local paper delivery job but there are no vacancies at the moment.

Other excuses he has come up against is 'we can't take on that young due to H & S' and yet kids are allowed to work from age 13 in this country; with some rules, but it is allowed.

Can you tell me what have your young teens have managed to find work-wise so that I can encourage him and give him some other thoughts. I had a PT job at 14 and it never did me any harm!

Unfortunately nowadays very few companies will employ under 16s. I also worked in a shop when I was 14 so did my brother. When my DS tried to get a job they all seemed to want over 16 and a few places over 18 probably with all the rules, regulation and H and S.

Its probably because there are so many more over 16's available for part time jobs nowadays while they stay on at school, whereas when I was young 16 year olds took proper full time jobs, as I did myself.

Has he got his name down on any waiting lists for paper rounds or weekly local paper deliveries, hopefully one will come up

My DTs (also 14) want one too. No paper delivery jobs around here, tbh it looks like pet sitting, lawn cutting, car washing are the only way to earn money for them. I remember doing a paper delivery job and although it could be hard work, it was a really good experience to have my own income.

It's very rare to find work for a proper employer at that age. Hard enough for my 16 year old.
Jobs for friends and neighbours is all they ever found at 14.
Mind we live in the sticks and they don't deliver papers.
DS2 is 16 and is grass cutting and plant watering this summer. He also gets casual work car parking at a local stately home. You have to be 16 though.

My son is a football ref. You can become one at 14. He will have to pass a course (£90 here) and then pay for a kit and black boots (most kids have wild colours and can't be worn while reffing.) Look on your county FA site for details of courses.

He could walk someone's dog and look after pets when people are away. And he could he help at a local riding stable with chores.

I like that idea, Awful, for him to get work experience even if he doesn't get paid, because then the idea of working gets ingrained. He needs to volunteer for something to do D of E and was going to help out at the local scouts group, but I think I will suggest working in Oxfam shop. And will up his pocket money if I have to.

His name is on the list for newspaper deliveries, but I think he will have to keep phoning the guy every month or so as my guess is that it will be easier for the newspaper man to offer the next vacancy to whoever is easiest (ie there at the right time). And I also keep mentioning my son to the local greengrocer who does need odd bits of help and I'm sure he might come good at some point.

I remember working on the till in our local 'provisions' shop and I loved it. Also ended up cutting, weighing and packing up cheese at the deli counter there. Those kinds of jobs are just not around any more.

My DD (15) volunteers in an Oxfam shop. They were happy to take her at 15 but some other charities couldn't. She works for a few hours at weekends and really enjoys it. It's great experience too - she works on the till, deals with customers, arranges displays, helps to sort stock etc. I would certainly recommend it as a good introduction to working and hopefully as a stepping stone to something paid eventually.

I think one of the reasons for employing 16+ is also to do with how many hours they are legally allowed to work in a week.

As he has to do volunteering for his DofE then will suggest he looks at a charity shop because of the workplace experience he will gain and to keep it up after the 3-6 months (whatever it is) so that he builds that for his CV. There are loads of charity shops round here.

At 16 he can take a lifeguarding qualification if he wants to, and then get paid to sit around and fall asleep poolside look after the safety of others. I know older teens who have done that and they started to take on real responsibility opening and locking up the leisure centre etc. That would see him through sixth form.

My DD1, who is older, has always been reluctant to find any kind of work so far, so I've really pushed it these hols (cancelled any kind of financial handouts from us) and she is now doing part-time nannying over this summer and will be teaching swimming on Sundays during term time next school year If she wants to have fun at uni then she is going to have to have money in her pocket and that isn't going to come from us!

Luckily DS is much more astute and can see the value in earning his own crust at a younger age so is champing at the bit.

I think the over 16 thing is usually related to insurance, as well as there being tight limits on what under 16s can work. This makes a 14yo more hassle to take on, especially when there are lots of older people looking for work right now. It is legally allowed, but employing under 16s can be a bigger hassle for employers. Equally, for any job where there is a need to sell alcohol or other age restricted products, jobs will go to over 18s, as it's easier.

Is there anything he can do online/at home to make a bit of money? If he can create a successful blog/you tube channel he may be able to earn a little bit from advertising. Or can he make anything to sell?

I worked from 13, but this was through contacts my mum had. Do you know anyone who would be willing to employ him on a trial basis.

Is he looking at actual job vacancies to apply for, or just asking around?

Just back from hols, hence delay in responding. Have since discovered that local estate agents might take him on to deliver publicity leaflets, so he is going to try that. And someone on holiday told me that Sainsburys take on 15 year olds to do Saturday or Sunday work, so in just 11 months' time he can apply to do that. Not long to go!

my 18yr old is applying to supermarkets and we are getting no response at all.
Is it that over subscribed or is there a set criteria to the job app.

What are they looking for?

Supermarkets round here won't look at you under 16 - indeed, not keen U18. When they've got so many applicants at 18 (without the restrictions younger people have) then there's no need for them to use youngsters with more restrictions on their working hours / conditions.

In fact, most people won't employ U16s. My dd (15) has recently done work experience in a big shop - they thought she was great and were keen for her to come back for a PT job, but, even though they now know her, they still can't employ her until she turns 16 she will walk in then though.

Mine have only found paper rounds that will take you U16, apart from jobs for people you know - grass cutting, babysitting, cleaning.

I thought supermarkets won't even look at you until you are school leaving age

DS16 has had a job in Next this summer. Took him on for 15hrs for the madness that is the sale but they kept him on and he's had quite a few hours at £5.50 ph-a fortune to him!

£5.50 is more than the minimum wage for a 16 yr old

ds would be delighted at that. His shop pays £3.82ph until you get to 18

Yep. He's delighted with his wage!! It has "bought" him a lot of independence this summer and he's loved the craic! He's also liked the 25% discount! He bought me a pair of sparkly "converse" with his first wages-bless! He works in stockroom mainly so it can be very physical esp when a delivery arrives and needs unpacking! He also tells me that when a customer comes to collect an order a timer starts and he has 1min 45 secs to get it to the til and he'll get.....15p!!!

If you haven't already found something, DD, age 14, works at the local maths Kumon centre and gets £7 per session (about 2 hours). The boss drops all the kids back home after.

My son works as a busser (cleans tables) at a Downtown restaurant. He gets minimum wage plus some tips. He is happy with it.