If you have a 16/17 year old at college, do they also have a part time job? What do they do?

[RJB73]

DD16 (17 early May) is at college 3 days a week. She found a Christmas job at a well known UK chain store but since that has ended she has really struggled to find part time work.

It appears to be so difficult finding work in our area (even though our town received city status a few years ago and has been growing at an alarming rate).

Has your dc found it difficult to get work at this age?

My son works as a sports coach at a kids’ after school and holiday club. He also works as a labourer on local building sites during the school holidays but that is hard physical work! His mates have found it hard, a lot of places won’t hire under 18s.

My son is 16 although a little younger. He doesn't want to work at all and says he doesn't want to work in college to avoid paying (minimal) board and because he truly thinks that it's unnecessary.. Yes he does still demand things to be brought with my money. Utterly lazy 🤦‍♀️

On the other hand my niece is 17 and without a job, but she's studying with good grades at 6th form. If they're not being completely useless then I would understand why a 16 - 17 year old has no job. Although I remember that it was easier to be hired when I was 16

Is She doing any volunteering? DC1 did Saturdays for a while in a local Charity shop and tgat helped them secure their first job.

Has she asked her DFriends who work if they know of any vacancies? Lots of teens seem to fall into jobs through recommendations of Friends.

We were in your position a while ago and DC2 got their job through Indeed.

They often worked 4 days plus 3 days at college although most weeks was 3 and with one day off. They often worked full time during the holidays.

I hope you’ve explained that basics will be provided only like toothpaste and deodorant? I really don’t think it does them any good at that age to expect DPs to provide for them.

DD works one day a week in our local farm shop- has done since she was 15, she is now nearly 18. She has applied for other bits in and amongst but heard nothing back. Hopefully more opportunities will open up for her when she does turn 18.

DS is on an apprenticeship so doesn't count but his GF works at the local football stadium on match days and if they have events on, and also at a fast food chain alongside doing her A levels at college.

He doesn't live with me due to his violence and narcissism.. a whole other topic but I've made it clear that he's only being provided with the absolute bare basics if / when he comes back. I've made it clear that he's a young adult ect

I've also told my daughter (14.. so a little younger) that she can focus on eduction like her cousin or she can get a job at my son's age, she wants to attend uni after gcses and a levels and is actually interested in moving out rather than leeching. She's a hardworker and has talked about her future more so I'm more so worried about my son. I think a part time job at 16 is reasonable and I'm surprised that it's not as common these days!

She did help out at a charity shop last summer but didn't enjoy it tbh. She has applied to help out in theatres (she wants to become a special effects make up artist) but hasn't had much luck there either.

She does look on Indeed every day and applies for jobs as soon as they are advertised.

None of her friends work as they too are struggling to find any paid work.

If she’s applying fur hogs constantly and not getting anywhere is there a Careers service at College tgat ciujd look at her CV for her and make any suggestions?

The application to the local Theatres, is that for voluntary work or work experience?

Same here , she does one 5 hour shift on an evening a week and earns £300 a month. Hourly pay rate is much higher than the usual pay rates .
has bought a new phone and Lana del ray tickets … the important things !

Another for lifeguarding here. Zero hour casual work but at our particular centre there has never been a week without hours unless it was by choice and hours can increase in half term.

My son got a job the week he turned 16 and during college terms worked part time and full time on holidays. He was KP at a café.

Both of mine have found work fairly easily at this age. Both work/worked in restaurants. One did front of house and the other is a KP. We have loads of restaurants and cafes in our town- they never had any luck when they applied to supermarkets.

Eldest had actually worked at about 6 different establishments by the time she was 18! (This is not because she got sacked from anywhere- a couple of the places went out of business so she had to find something else, and aside from that she is fickle so was ready to move on after a while working in the same one 😂)

And the closing was definitely nothing to do with them?

Haha- good question @BunnyRuddington 😂 Hopefully not!

I did have a time many years ago where similar happened to me. I’d start a new job and the company woukd close shortly after. It was a bit of a mother at the time but definitely nothing to do with anything tgat id done. Well I hope so too…

That's a good idea. I'll get her to ask on Monday. Although I think it's simply so many applying in our area, most of her friends are experiencing the same issue.

Voluntary - the main and very popular theatre in our city say they have a long list of volunteers and they don't need any more and the smaller ones haven't returning her messages.

TK Max are brilliant for employing youngsters if you have one in your area. They tend to do temp to perm contracts on a decent rate of pay.

Both my dds are 17, both doing A levels at college. Dd1 works at Greggs 10hr contract. Dd2 had a temporary contract with New Look over Christmas but it ended in January and she's struggling to find anything else so far. She applies for a few each week but not even an interview so far! Hopefully it will pick up now towards summer, fingers crossed 🤞

We do. We'll check that out, thanks

My 17 yo is a lifeguard
She did the course at 16
Best hourly rate a teen can get apparently

She also did the paper round for years before that. Very good tips at Xmas. !

Swimming teaching. The qualification costs around £500, but many swim schools will pay for it upfront and then allow the young teacher to pay it back. We were able to fund it, but it paid for itself pretty quickly as there is a shortage of swimming teachers (at least in our area) and the hourly rates are good