Poll proves teenagers are seeking real opportunities

Teenagers suffer from a bad reputation when it comes to work. Nearly three-quarters of adults think they worked harder in their youth than today’s teens and over a third believe most teenagers will only work reluctantly, doing the bare minimum to get by.

But a new poll of 15-19 year olds suggests, unlike the Catherine Tate caricature Lauren Cooper, the average teenager is “bovvered” about getting a job and welcomes the challenges and rewards of work. 

Nearly 9 in 10 teenagers were confident about finding a job, even in the current economic downturn, and more than half rejected the idea of signing on. The majority (69%) took the view that people claiming benefits should do all they possibly can to get back into work – and only 6% thought jobless people should be able to do as they liked.
 
Tim Campbell, first series winner of The Apprentice who went on to set up the Bright Ideas Trust for young entrepreneurs, says: “We need to make sure young people aren’t written off by employers before they get a chance to prove themselves. Young people are a key part of a healthy and competitive future for British business.
 
“But as our future leaders and innovators they need the support of employers and organisations to make the transition to work and to be a success in the workplace.

“Young people can bring the fresh thinking and enthusiasm to a business that can really help it thrive and in my view that’s a great return on a little investment.”  

What do you think?  Are you influenced so much by the image of young people portrayed daily by the media?  Or are you prepared to take a chance on young employees, provide them with training and skill them up for the future?

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