17 year old son really struggling to get work

[FrancisSeaton]

He wants an apprenticeship but would consider part time college and a part time job and has applied for loads and had a few interviews but getting nowhere. Is there a service of any sort that helps youngsters get jobs?

If he's applying for customer service jobs, tell him in the multiple choice questions to always serve the customer as highest priority over completing tasks or anything else

Has he been in college at all? Normally his education institution would be your first port of call.

If he isn't or hasn't been, then it maybe worth approaching your local college for some support as all under 18 are supposed to be in education or an apprenticeship and they could possibly help him apply for local apprenticeships I know our college does.

Get him signed up at the Job Centre for work coaching - they can help with interview skills, CV writing and job applications.

My son was struggling to find an apprenticeship after months of applying
He then started calling around garages and he struck lucky with one, they wasn't even looking for an apprentice but they offered him an interview and gave him the job

Definitely worth calling around

What areas of work is he interested in, @FrancisSeaton?

When an interview doesn’t lead to a job offer I would get in touch and ask for feedback as to why i wasn’t successful. Their response could help in the future.
go through the cv to check for spelling errors and maybe see if needs updating/modifying. Lastly it would be worth volunteering for a short while or getting some work experience, so there is something current on the cv plus a potential reference.

At his age the service that helps him move on would be his most recent school or college.

What did he move on to after GCSEs? F it was college then they will have careers advisers and should also have pastoral support.

It can be really hard getting entry level jobs at that age, he’s done well getting interviews.

I sucked at interviews at that age but it was basic things really, he might have to practise and learn to fake being more “bubbly” (idk what his personality is!).

For example I have chronic resting bitch face so smiling and looking the interviewer, saying “hi how are you?”, little fake laugh when appropriate, making sure I give full answers but don’t ramble, asking the interviewer questions back. Took me ages to realise this when I was younger!

Anything handy really engineering electrics etc
School haven't helped much to be honest

Has anyone looked at his CV and applications?

If his school hasn't been helpful, there is the National Careers Service, and also more local programs. Do you mind saying what area you live in?

www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/common/help-and-advice

Also, The Princes' Trust have quite a helpful page on interviews and also offer wider help:

www.princes-trust.org.uk/how-we-can-help/tools-resources/finding-job/interview-tips

Apprenticeships for trades and engineering are incredibly competitive, particularly at level 3. I found loads on indeed. Took my 18 year old son 8 months to get one and he had some work experience. It's just a numbers game- you need to keep on applying for as many as possible. The gov website has a lot too.

Some training providers also run traineeships and courses for applying for a trade/engineering apprenticeship- might be worth looking into those.

I am Scotland so it could be a very different system where you are but my son done a "electrical pre apprenticeship" course at college this really helped him then successfully get an apprenticeship, is there anything like that where you are? I wasn't aware of these courses but in my sons case it was really valuable

Yes

If he likes engineering and mechanics, has he tried the local bike shop. It's a good place to get started and then look for a apprenticeship from there.

I think you need to engage a bit more if you want any further help. Although people have tried. 🤷🏻‍♀️

That's a good idea thanks

@CeruleanDive not sure what your problem was- there's literally only one possible answer to that question I was asked

We have a specific service in our local authority for working with 16-25 year olds who aren’t in education or training. They help them find out what they want to do and how to get there. Does your local authority have anything similar? Have a look on your local offer.

There is a national shortage of lorry drivers. If he's past his driving test he could try for a job with DHL. They pay for the training of HGV licences and in return you have to sign to agree to work for them for I think it is at least 2 years after passing HGV test. If he gets his HGV licence he'll never want for a job.

My son got jobs by walking in and asking. They'd sometimes direct him to their FB page. He also went in several times to 'remind' them he was keen. Got his first job that way (KP at a cafe til made redundant during second lock down) and after third lockdown ended at a men's clothing shop. Also the gym he goes to (he qualified as at fitness's instructor/PT during Covid but couldn't get the work experience due to lockdowns) gave him a job part time. Applying online seems much less successful.

Princes Trust have some projects that can lead to job opportunities, they do start from 16yo, your job centre or local careers service would have details. There are also providers who do short courses/work experience which may have a guaranteed interview.

Thanks will look into this

Another thought. Our local council runs a service where people take old products in for refurb, a bit like a repair cafe only larger.

Then they offer unemployed youth training courses in furniture refurb and upholstery, or bike refurb and maintenance. Some electrical repair and recertification

Then they sell the refurbed products to boost their budget.

It's a good training option for people starting out. Gives them an intro to a variety of skills.

Looking on the gov website every day could be the way to go.

www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeships?SearchField=All&Keywords=Enhineering&Location=Leeds%20(West%20Yorkshire)&WithinDistance=0&ApprenticeshipLevel=All&DisabilityConfidentOnly=false&Latitude=53.80592&Longitude=-1.53834&Hash=-1184769298&SearchMode=Keyword&Category=&LocationType=NonNational&GoogleMapApiKey=AIzaSyAg5lwS3ugdAVGf5gdgNvLe_0-7XcMICIM&sortType=RecentlyAdded&SearchAction=Sort&resultsPerPage=5&DisplayDescription=true&DisplayDistance=true&DisplayClosingDate=true&DisplayStartDate=true&DisplayApprenticeshipLevel=false&DisplayWage=false

The apprenticeships are often very quick turn around, the initial sift is sometimes conducted by the chosen college.

To get through the sift he needs to stand out and show his interest appropriate skills -