Young people and mental health: why the Youth Voice Census Report matters to employers

Key findings from Youth Employment UK’s annual Youth Voice Census can help employers find and develop early careers talent.

The Youth Voice Census is the largest annual survey of young people in the UK. Over 4,000 young people aged 11-30 took part in 2022, and findings indicate that young jobseekers are struggling more than ever, due to the pandemic and lack of confidence.

• 51% of young people aged 19+ thought mental health was their biggest barrier to accessing work.

• 52% of those in work cited anxiety as their biggest barrier.

• Only 28.7% thought employers were supportive of hiring them.

Young jobseekers don’t realise they already have the skills employers want. They are less likely to believe they can write a CV, pass an interview, or find quality work nearby.

What this means for employers

In order to better attract and develop young people into entry level opportunities, employers need to understand where young people are coming from and which (frequently multiple) employment barriers they’re facing. 

When we work with employers we start with youth-led insight to help organisations explore recruitment policies and procedures. Small adjustments can make big differences. The Good Youth Employment Charter, with its accompanying free advice and support, is a proactive way for employers to show commitment to good youth employment practice. 

With mental health being a key youth employment barrier, employers can lean into their role in supporting young people’s confidence and removing unknowns.

Open communication, clear expectations and empathetic support are key to engaging early candidates. Creating opportunities for young people to learn about the world of work and build their confidence really helps. 

Sometimes it’s about meeting young people in the middle. Unless you know where the middle is you could be missing out on brilliant talent.

Youth Employment UK is a membership organisation supporting employers to attract, engage and retain young talent.