Exploring All Career Options In A Struggling Economy

During the last few months, news headlines have been littered with bad news in regards to employment, regularly highlighting the historically high youth unemployment in the UK, which currently stands at 22%. Therefore, it is not surprising that some of this negativity has begun to filter down into the everyday concerns of young adults.

With higher education costs increasing in the UK and a growing lack of faith in the education system amongst young people, the chances are opinions will only fall further. Especially if once having completed an expensive degree, graduates are still unable to find work. However, the question remains as to whether the feelings of young people are completely accurate; does the education they receive really let them down?

First off, there are a whole host of graduate training programmes available to students who have completed degrees, especially in certain key areas, such as science, engineering and finance.

Graduate schemes provide participants with training and fast-track access to the higher ranks of the organisation. There are schemes available to graduates offered by companies operating in a variety of sectors, not just navigation. These include graduate schemes for banks, insurance companies and marketing agencies.

Other opportunities for students exist in government based jobs with the civil service. In order to apply you must complete a rigorous application process; however, the rewards include a job for life and a reasonable pension at the end of it. For students who have studied governance or political sciences, but are not necessarily interested in the public wrangling involved with politics, the civil service provides a welcome alternative.

While most indicators do show unemployment has risen in the UK, young people should take heart from the knowledge that this is unlikely to last. It will not be long before the UK, and Europe more generally, will be desperate for employees. This is due to the aging population, which is characteristic of European nations, caused by a population boom shortly after the war that did not continue. As a result a large portion of Europe's population is on the verge of retirement, meaning millions of jobs are about to be vacated. While this may have a negative effect on Europe as a whole, it is likely that, for young people looking for a job, the process will become much easier.

Despite the high unemployment reports and the growing concerns over the quality (and cost) of education in the UK, the options for young people, especially graduates, are varied. Thanks to graduate training schemes many young people will be able to find well paid jobs with successful companies. The question remains whether the government will be capable of reducing youth unemployment from the current 22% figure within the coming months.

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