How to support young workers entering the workforce

Leaving higher education and beginning work can be a daunting period in a young person’s life.

Indeed, just getting on the working ladder is tough. In January 2023, the youth unemployment rate in the United Kingdom stood at 10.8 per cent, with around 21.3 per cent of those aged between 16 and 17 out of work.

Which is why it is more important than ever when a young worker does take the brave step into the world of full-time employment, employees do all they can to help them make a successful transition from education to the workplace.

Here are some tips on how you can best support young workers entering the workforce.

Offering mental health support

According to NHS digital, a little over a quarter of teenagers aged between 17 and 19 had probable mental health issues in 2022 – a rise from one in six the year previous.

The coronavirus pandemic took its toll on all of us, not least for young people who had their education affected and saw their social interactions with friends dwindle.

Studies show that employers are giving increased awareness and support when it comes to protecting employees’ mental health through virtual mental health counselling, taking out insurance to help reduce the cost of mental health treatment, virtual support groups, tools to help build mindfulness and resilience, and tools for training on how to support those with a mental illness.

Offering help and guidance with mental health can only have long-term benefits for the productivity of your company.

Offering job perks

The perks of the job is not just a tired old cliché, in fact it should be a quite literal part of any role and may help you retain staff.

It could be as simple as free drinks or fresh food delivered to the office, something a little more financially beneficial such as free eye tests, or even vouchers for popular high-street stores and eateries.

Maybe discounted gym membership or cycle-to-work schemes to boost physical and mental well-being is the route you could go down.

It might even be you offer modest business cars or help towards learning how to drive among the perks you provide for young employees. To go down this route, ensure you have taken out learner driver insurance.

Offering plenty of training and opportunities

Supporting young workers with their mental well being and offering perks are definitely great ways to keep them engaged but it goes without saying you need them to be able to fulfil their roles.

Starting full-time employment is a nervy time, so show patience as new starters get up to speed with what is expected of them.

You can boost their chances of success by providing plenty of on or off-site training, whether that be through courses and seminars or having a work mentor to show them the ropes.

The post How to support young workers entering the workforce appeared first on HR News.

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