Students and coronavirus — the jobs market shrinks as recession bites
University is labelled by some as the greatest time of your entire life.
But for many students in these unprecedented times the prospect of graduating is fraught with uncertainty.
Recent research by the BBC’s Panorama programme found that the 16–25 year old generation is one of the most affected demographics when it comes to coronavirus, particularly in relation to job prospects.
Finishing a university degree is already no easy task, but it seems the struggle will only grow harder for young people in the foreseeable future.
Graduating in the wake of a mass recession and job losses is putting pressures on students, the likes of which haven’t been seen since 2008.
Portsmouth, a student city, is full of young people worried about future employment prospects, wondering how they will get their foot on the jobs ladder.
Fraser Hayward, 31, a recruitment manager at construction firm Capital Hoist, believes that this pandemic is creating issues for students up and down the country.
When asked about job prospects for young people, he said: “There’s a lot of uncertainty, there’s a real lack of job security for graduates and school leavers.”
Fraser has seen a considerable increase in applicants for jobs: “I’ve been putting out job advertisements for the company and received more applications than ever before, people are applying for everything they see.”
However, in the eyes of a man who has over 13 years of experience in the business of employment, there is a glimmer of hope for prospective employees.
“The job market is changing,” he said. “This is the perfect time for people to upskill themselves.”
He sees the older generation as stuck in their ways, saying that now is the perfect time for young people to take a step back and look at all their possibilities.
“You’ve got to explore all avenues, there are different roles in every field that you won’t have even considered — where can you fit into the new market?”
Powerful words from someone who has so much experience in recruitment — but for some students it isn’t as simple as that.
For many university leavers the opportunity to get out in the world, find a job in the field you’ve spent the last three to four years of your life grafting in, and finally grasp your independence with both hands is something they have waited a long time for.
But many graduates have already been let go from jobs they acquired prior to Covid and do not hold out much hope of getting one soon.
Sam Smith, 23, a Civil Engineering student at the University of Portsmouth, was let go from his placement position as an intern engineer due to the pandemic.
Mr. Smith was enjoying his placement before Covid shut down his chances of completing the full year in employment.
“It was down to corona, the firm was making job cuts and cuts on spending,” said Sam, who is currently completing his final year at university.
The uncertainty surrounding the future for many third years preparing to make the final step into adulthood is creating dread amongst students nationwide.
Sam continued: “I’m really nervous about the future, all I can hope is that my old firm will take me back on.
‘But the job market at the minute is looking so bleak.”
Luckily for Sam he was able to complete most of his placement before Covid took hold, and he is thankful he was able to acquire an internship pre-Covid.
“I’m really glad I got my placement before this pandemic struck. If I was applying for one now I doubt I’d have been able to get one.”
Unfortunately, many students today are living this nightmare. Thomas Whitlow, a Chemistry student at the University of Loughborough, is currently struggling with this exact issue.
Thomas, a model student, who achieved a first-class grade in his inaugural year, is finding it increasingly difficult to find placement opportunities.
He said: “There are half, if not less, of the jobs available for roles in chemistry than there were last year.
“There are a few jobs, but in my sector (renewable energy), lots of companies are laying people off.”
This is the case for the whole job market, as firms are struggling financially, the last thing they will be doing is looking to recruit new staff.
Thomas is finding the fully online aspects of job applications to be hindering his attempts further. “In previous years I would have been able to attend job fairs and gone on trips to tour potential companies, it’s a lot harder now.”
Much like Sam, Thomas is worried about his future, post-university employment.
“I’m anxious for the future, all I can do is hope the Government sorts the job market out.”
This is the reality for students in a Covid world — and the future is not looking bright for young people.
