The research which surveyed over 350 senior business professionals running different types of company across the UK economy found that many of these businesses would consider creating a job opportunity or have already done so, but some still feel that those young people who have been unemployed for a long time could have a poor attitude to work.
However, the report did find that mentoring could prove to be a good solution to creating new opportunities for the long term unemployed as long as they were flexible and not prescriptive.
Encouragingly the majority of business professionals surveyed said in principle they would also consider mentoring a young person, keen to start a business.
Some businesses, especially small and medium sized, would consider creating opportunities for the young and long-term unemployed, if suitable incentives were in place – such as government subsidies or tax support.
Robin Fieth, Executive Director, Members, & Operations, ICAEW said: “Our research clearly shows there is an appetite from business to help the unemployed on the path to employment and a more secure future. This is good news for young people up and down the country.
“We have to continue to create opportunities for young people to help tackle the scourge of youth unemployment. By offering a work placement, internship or apprenticeship, UK businesses could enable thousands of young people to take the first step towards successful careers. ”
The research found the main drivers for creating job opportunities are:
- Bringing young talent into the company
- Giving opportunities to young people
- Train somebody who is unskilled; and
- Meet the company’s sustainability/corporate social responsibility objectives.
The research also found some differences by size of company, with large companies most likely to have already created an apprenticeship, work placement or internship, and micro businesses being the least likely to consider doing this.
