'I look every day for a job but there is nothing'
Towns and cities in north-east England are among the hardest places for young people to find work or training, according to a recent report.
Middlesbrough was ranked fifth from bottom on the Youth Opportunity Index 2025, while Newcastle, Sunderland and County Durham were also among the toughest places for young people to start a career.
The report, led by the Learning and Work Institute, analysed a range of factors, including education, apprenticeships and the quality of jobs available to 16 to 24-year-olds.
It comes as the Tees Valley Combined Authority has been given £5m by the government for a Youth Guarantee Trailblazer scheme.
Ranked out of 100 on the index, Sunderland scored 44, County Durham 43, Newcastle 40 and Middlesbrough received 31.
Alfie is among those searching for apprenticeships or a part-time job in Sunderland, to earn money while at college.
"Me mam says back in the day there used to be loads of jobs, you just couldn't not have one, but now it's just impossible," the 17-year-old said.
"I look every night, every single day and night, I'm on my phone constantly looking and there is nothing at all."
In Middlesbrough, 17-year-old Katie said finding even part-time work is incredibly hard.
"I've looked on many websites and applied for many, many jobs and haven't heard back from any," she said.
"They want someone who is more experienced, but it is difficult to get that experience if no one is willing to employ me."
The government has funded Youth Guarantee Trailblazer schemes across the region to try to tackle the problem.
The pilot aims to stop people aged 18 to 21 from falling out of the jobs market.
Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said he was confident it would bring results.
"The five million pounds will largely go towards paying for placements for young people who are not in education, skills or employment, who were much further away from the jobs market, that have other challenges to be able to get into work," he said.
"Give them confidence and hopefully get them the skills and that means that we are tackling the issue of generational poverty."
The North East Combined Authority is one of nine where a Trailblazer scheme would focus on the health impact of economic inactivity.
Stephen Evans, from the Learning and Work Institute, hopes the programmes will help address the problems identified in the Youth Opportunity Index.
"One of the really shocking findings that came through this research is that more than half of young people who are not in education, employment or training say they've never had a job at all," he said.
"So we need to change that because they need the skills, but you also need to them gain the experience of work."
Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Youth Opportunity Index 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Volunteers kick off Pride with free 'Vegas style' weddings for LGBT couples
Volunteers kick off Pride with free 'Vegas style' weddings for LGBT couples originally appeared on Bring Me The News. Pride rang in early this year to the sound of wedding bells in the Twin Cities, after a group of community members banded together on Saturday to provide 15 LGBT couples with free weddings. Former wedding photographer Kelly Wilson first issued her appeal February, seeking volunteers to help host free ceremonies for LGBT couples and bring "some joy to my community". Within a short three months, over $4,000 was raised, and the number of volunteers grew to 50 people, who helped organize and run Saturday's event. The group, now known as Do'Gooders MN, not only volunteered their time but also provided resources, including funding for each couple's wedding cake, rings, personal photographers, and more. "I just wanted to help others have exactly what I have, which is a wonderful legal marriage. And once you are legally wed, it can't be undone," Wilson said. "It started as kind of a joyful way to show resistance about what's going on with our community." Having been happily married to her wife for the past 12 years, Wilson was spurred into action by President Donald Trump's return to office and the slew of orders at the federal and state level targeting the LGBT community that have since followed. "There are multiple states that right now are moving resolutions through their system to go to the Supreme Court to ask them not to let marriage equality exist," Wilson told Bring Me The News. "The Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex marriage would be legal in all 50 states in 2015. "That's a huge deal when it comes to health care and making choices about family planning, and making choices about whether somebody dies. Tons of rights come with a legal marriage. So I felt very compelled to help people get ahead of the curve." Instead of a simple "mass wedding," Wilson and her Do'Gooders conducted the weddings "Vegas style" at Salem Lutheran Church, with each couple having their private 45-minute ceremony amongst invited family and friends, officiated by Ramsey County judges, such as Sara Grewing. "When there were people in the community looking to get married, I was always happy to help out," Judge Grewing told Bring Me The News. "So, regardless of their story or background, if I can be a part of celebrating families and joy, I like to do so." Among the happy couples able to get married on Saturday were Katie and Erica Jackson, who have been together for five years. The two celebrated not only their union but also the blending of two families, with Erica's two children being part of her bridal party. "We actually have plans to get married in Hawaii in October, but we had some very legitimate concerns that by then it won't be legal anymore," Katie said. "We saw this opportunity and explained our situation. They very joyfully welcomed and embraced us, it's wonderful." Erica explained just how important this event was not only to them as a family, but to the community as a whole. "Community is the most important thing we have, and is a thing we have to support. So it is very important not just for us, but for everyone in the community," Erica added. While the wedding event may be over, Wilson and her Do'Gooders are not planning on stopping their work anytime soon, with Wilson saying she plans on incorporating the group and becoming a nonprofit. "We're going to continue doing good in Minnesota," Wilson said. "I wouldn't be surprised if another wedding is in our future, but right now we're just focusing on this one, and then we're all going to take June off and catch our breath." "Not every community might be the community you feel comfortable helping, but if you can't help them, don't hurt them," Wilson added. "Let people live and support those that you can support, and get involved because when you get involved, you have community, and when you have community, you can face things." This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Yahoo
Work underway on THREE big-name chains at Basildon's Festival Leisure Park
AN AMERICAN fast food chain famous for its 'legendary' wings has announced it is opening at Festival Leisure Park as work begins on site. Wingstop, which sells chicken wings across the world, will open in July in the former Frankie and Benny's and workers are already carrying out a renovation. It comes as work progresses rapidly to build new Costa and Wendy's drive-thru restaurants on the car park. Both coffee giant Costa and American burger chain Wendy's are due to open in Autumn, while Wingstop will open 'at the end of July'. Upgrades - Construction well underway on the Wendy's and Costa drive-thrus on the same site. (Image: Oliver Partridge) The three big name chains will join Cineworld, Hollywood Bowl, Slim Chicken, Nandos and more at the popular leisure park. Known for their signature chicken wings, the Wingstop plan is already generating a buzz among residents. Jake Critoph, a resident who was at the leisure park yesterday, said: 'I'm buzzing for this to open, there's only a few in like Lakeside, Chelmsford and I think Southend, so a closer one is great news.' Couple Alfie and Leah Turner also praised the latest addition to Festival Leisure. Alfie said: 'Wingstop sounds banging, we can't wait.' Change - The iconic Wingstop iconography slowly replacing the former Frankie & Bennies. (Image: Oliver Partridge) Lilian Eldridge and her daughter Daisy are frequent visitors to the cinema and looking forward to more food options. Lillian said: 'We come here a fair bit for the cinema, so more food options will be cool - but I don't think we've ever tried Wingstop.' With Wingstop joining other popular chicken restaurants like Slim Chicken and Nando's on the site, both Wingstop themselves and the Festival Leisure Park are promising to deliver a unique experience to visitors. Malachy O'Keeffe, head of marketing at Wingstop, said: 'We're bringing bold, unforgettable flavours to Festival Leisure Park this July, from our crave-worthy wings to our range of milkshakes, our menu is built for those who don't settle for ordinary. 'Get ready, flavour is on its way.' Matthew Chambers, centre manager at Festival Leisure Park, added: 'We're thrilled to announce Wingstop's upcoming arrival to Festival Leisure Park, it's set to be a must-visit on your trip to us this summer.'
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
'I look every day for a job but there is nothing'
Towns and cities in north-east England are among the hardest places for young people to find work or training, according to a recent report. Middlesbrough was ranked fifth from bottom on the Youth Opportunity Index 2025, while Newcastle, Sunderland and County Durham were also among the toughest places for young people to start a career. The report, led by the Learning and Work Institute, analysed a range of factors, including education, apprenticeships and the quality of jobs available to 16 to 24-year-olds. It comes as the Tees Valley Combined Authority has been given £5m by the government for a Youth Guarantee Trailblazer scheme. Ranked out of 100 on the index, Sunderland scored 44, County Durham 43, Newcastle 40 and Middlesbrough received 31. Alfie is among those searching for apprenticeships or a part-time job in Sunderland, to earn money while at college. "Me mam says back in the day there used to be loads of jobs, you just couldn't not have one, but now it's just impossible," the 17-year-old said. "I look every night, every single day and night, I'm on my phone constantly looking and there is nothing at all." In Middlesbrough, 17-year-old Katie said finding even part-time work is incredibly hard. "I've looked on many websites and applied for many, many jobs and haven't heard back from any," she said. "They want someone who is more experienced, but it is difficult to get that experience if no one is willing to employ me." The government has funded Youth Guarantee Trailblazer schemes across the region to try to tackle the problem. The pilot aims to stop people aged 18 to 21 from falling out of the jobs market. Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said he was confident it would bring results. "The five million pounds will largely go towards paying for placements for young people who are not in education, skills or employment, who were much further away from the jobs market, that have other challenges to be able to get into work," he said. "Give them confidence and hopefully get them the skills and that means that we are tackling the issue of generational poverty." The North East Combined Authority is one of nine where a Trailblazer scheme would focus on the health impact of economic inactivity. Stephen Evans, from the Learning and Work Institute, hopes the programmes will help address the problems identified in the Youth Opportunity Index. "One of the really shocking findings that came through this research is that more than half of young people who are not in education, employment or training say they've never had a job at all," he said. "So we need to change that because they need the skills, but you also need to them gain the experience of work." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Youth Opportunity Index 2025
