More than one million young people could be jobless within the next few years if unemployment continues to rise, according to research carried out by the University’s Geography department and the Prince’s Trust charity.

Currently 760,000 young people under the age of 25 are unemployed.

The University’s research team worked with the Prince’s Trust, a charity which aims to change young lives in the UK, to try and find out how the growing recession will affect young people in the future.

Danny Dorling, Professor of Human Geography, states that young people will be the first to suffer as employers cut back on jobs.

He said: "Action must be taken to prevent young people from falling into this employment trap."
Researchers considered the differences affecting young people now as compared to the recession that their parents may have experienced in the 1980s.

"Many people hit the labour market with degrees now, and are older, as compared to those in the 1980s," said Dr. Bethan Thomas, one of the University’s researchers.

"The 1980s saw a lot of manufacturing jobs hit by the recession, whereas now we have jobs demanding a higher level of skills."

The researchers found that times are going to be hard for under 25-year-olds trying to start work.

"We are hearing rumours of businesses pulling out of graduate recruitment services such as Milkround.com," added Dr. Thomas.

This could impact on future graduates because recruiters such as major High Street retailers and banks decide to reduce their intake of new staff to get through the recession.

Martina Milburn, Chief Executive of the Prince’s Trust, said that young people need to be encouraged into the job market.

"By helping them into work, we can save the UK economy billions each year and tap into lost potential."

The Prince’s Trust said that youth unemployment costs the UK economy around £10million a day in lost productivity. Dr. Thomas said that despite the concerns that young people may have, there could be opportunities for students in the recession.

"The Government is very concerned about NEETs (young people not in education, employment or training).

"This group are being encouraged to continue learning and gaining skills.

"This may provide an opportunity for graduates to administer the system of further education and to impart their own knowledge through teaching."

Kirsty McEwen