Whilst science points to young people both being less susceptible to Coronavirus and having a higher survival rate if they do catch it, the virus has had far-reaching and damaging repercussions for the youth of today too.
As we entered lockdown, Scottish school leavers left their learning and friends behind as the school gates closed back in March, bringing with it a departure from their normal daily lives and a period of uncertainty – just like the rest of us.
Entering the jobs market is challenging at the best of times, but for the 50,000 education leavers in Scotland who will be on the hunt for their first job this year, they will need more than tenacity and a glowing resume to be successful, especially during this challenging time.
Youngsters already in the world of work aren’t faring much better, with unemployment in the youth labour market (16-24 year olds) in Scotland increasing by 5.7 per cent between January and the end of April this year. According to figures from the ONS (Office for National Statistics), that’s 45,000 young Scots out of work.
The sectors most affected by the lockdown were hospitality, tourism, and retail – all of which employ a disproportionately high volume of young workers. This leaves many Scottish youngsters exposed to the economic fallout as the furlough scheme comes to an end and job losses start to hit.
Recent forecasts for Scottish youth employment by IPPR Scotland made for equally grim reading, with predictions warning that more than 140,000 youths could be out of work by the end of the year. Even the most optimistic forecast suggests unemployment in this age group could grow to more than 80,000 by the end of 2020.
Last week, the First Minister set out the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government at the Scottish Parliament. Thankfully, the issue of youth employment was central to that programme, with the First Minister stating that they will ensure young people do not carry the ‘economic scars’ of coronavirus into adulthood.
The Youth Guarantee – an ambitious new partnership with Scotland’s employers, backed by £60m of Government investment, will guarantee everyone aged 16–24 a job, a place in education or a place in training.
Additionally, £10m will be earmarked to help employers recruit and retain apprentices. This will also include incentives to take on apprentices who have been made redundant.
With that said, apprenticeships that do not lead to a real job are worthless. The collapse of key sectors like retail, manufacturing, hospitality, leisure, arts, transport, night culture and social care needs more than a cash injection – it requires better solutions than short-term, zero-hours work, for youngsters hit by the crisis.
Similarly, while I agree that expanding capacity in our education and skills system is needed, the expansion should be targeted to key sectors with long-term prospects. Surely increased learning capacity should prepare Scotland’s youth for jobs in growth sectors – digital, tech and green jobs?
If we are to avoid a ‘lost generation’ then we have to look back and learn from our past. After the financial crisis in 2008, people who left education experienced lower rates of employment for several years. We must avoid history repeating this time round by ensuring that training will lead to real jobs, in the real world.
Many businesses are also struggling to adapt to the economic storm caused by coronavirus. Unpredictable local restrictions, alongside business rates re-evaluations and numerous other barriers are hindering businesses and forcing many to close their doors.
What can be done for businesses now to help them survive long-term? Should we be following our European neighbours by extending the furlough scheme beyond October to avoid a tsunami of redundancies and ensure our younger generation have a chance at a career?
Youth employment is undoubtedly of huge importance to our economic recovery. We owe these youngsters our best efforts to open doors and guide them through the process as they enter the worst labour market in living memory. After all, their future isn’t just their own – it’s Scotland’s.
Edinburgh’s Online Festival Success
Our capital’s streets, usually mobbed with tourists and revellers throughout August and early September for the festival season, have been eerily quiet due to the live events industry being put on pause.
However, technology is playing an increasing role in safeguarding jobs both for performers and those working behind the scenes, and it was great to see that this year’s festival season has still enjoyed tremendous success – albeit digitally.
With its enforced move online last month, the scaled-back festival provided a small programme of events, with 26 digital productions featuring specially staged performances and involving over 500 artists, musicians and technical staff.
The small number of events has been eclipsed by the huge number of viewers, with the festival having been watched over one million times and in nearly 50 countries worldwide. To put that in context, last year’s live shows in Edinburgh had an audience of 420,000.
It is a fantastic achievement, not only ensuring that Edinburgh remains front of mind for potential visitors to Scotland once, hopefully, things begin to return to normal, but also in providing a much-needed cash injection for both the struggling events and performing arts industry.
The more cynical amongst us may point out that going online certainly doesn’t help the local businesses within Edinburgh, who rely on festival footfall and much needed spending to survive. However, in these strange times any way to generate income for the city and those involved must be applauded.
It was also heartening to hear that this year’s success has meant that festival organisers will rethink what part online productions will have to play within the festival calendar in the future.
My guess is that with a continuation of local lockdowns and international travel not high on the agenda for many, that next year’s festival will come back bigger than ever – online and from the comfort of your own home.
It Made Me Laugh
If you have ever faced problems asking an Amazon Alexa directions to Tillicoultry, or what the temperature is in Auchtermuchty, then never fear, a Countdown wordsmith is here.
Amazon is teaming up with language expert and Countdown broadcaster Susie Dent to add hundreds of alternative British regional words and phrases to Alexa’s vocabulary, including our very own sultry tones.
The quiz show legend has been drafted in by experts who are hoping to end Alexa anger, where Scots struggle to be understood on a daily basis.
Alongside input from Susie, Edinburgh residents have also been asked to speak to Alexa in their natural dialect as much as possible, to teach the famous home assistant how to read regional accents.
I’m not sure how much an Edinburgh accent will support the cause, but every little helps.
It Made Me Weep
I was saddened to hear that the Citizens’ Advice Bureaux face a difficult and uncertain future.
The network of hubs, which often help the most vulnerable, poor or marginalised members of our communities, offers practical support and is seen by many as a lifeline.
In times like these, as we face a deepening recession, never has their services been more in demand.
Between April and July alone, the 59 bureaux across Scotland experienced a 191 per cent rise in the amount of redundancy advice it provided, yet Glasgow City Council are set to cut funding to the service within its boundaries.
With the proposed closure of five bureaux and the remaining hubs left facing severe cutbacks over the coming months in Glasgow, I hope something can be done. Otherwise, where else will those in need turn?
