The experiences of long-term unemployed young adults in the South West of England: some new insights

Abstract

In this paper we explore the experiences of three long-term unemployed young adults from different backgrounds in the 18–24 age range. The data comprise three interviews conducted over an 18-month period with seven of the original 19 participants in the research. At the time of first interview none of the young adults had been in education, employment or training for six months. Drawing upon a Bourdieusian framework, we demonstrate that differential access to economic, social and cultural resources significantly influenced, not only what they were able to reasonably contemplate but also what they were able to achieve. We question some commonly held assumptions about young people and their orientations, and the efficacy of economic and educational policies designed to increase employment, reduce inequality and ‘meet the needs’ of the unemployed. We claim that new insights and understandings of youth unemployment and transition can result from a broader, more holistic theorisation that fully represents the experiences and understandings of all the young adults that are being affected. Notwithstanding this, we indicate the need for research to increase understanding and provide a strong, robust and theoretically informed evidence base for policymakers and those concerned with the interests of young unemployed adults.

Keywords:

• young adults
• transition
• NEET
• unemployed

Notes

1. The New Deal for Young People (NDYP) was introduced in January 1998 to provide support for all people aged 18–24 who have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (or National Insurance credits) for six months or more. The aim was to reduce dependence on benefits: ‘every young person claiming JSA [Jobseeker’s Allowance] over a long period had to participate in meaningful activity designed to improve their chances of getting a job’ (DWP 2008a, 4). In June 2011 the Conservative and Liberal Democratic coalition rebranded the NDYP as ‘the Work Programme’ (DWP 2012) with a more explicit focus on payment for results.

2. The Prince’s Trust is a youth charity that works with young people and adults in the 13–30 age range who are disengaged or marginalised. Participants in the research were accessed via the Team Programme, a 12-week course targeted at unemployed 16- to 25-year-olds who benefit from the experience of work and of working together. The Future Jobs Fund was introduced in 2010 by the Labour government. Its primary purpose was to support the creation of new jobs for 18- to 24-year-olds who had been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance for six months or more. The Coalition government axed the fund in March 2011, a year earlier than planned, as part of their spending cuts