Quest Professional Warns of Cautious Employers as Youth Unemployment Figures Fall Slightly

May 16, 2012 - PRLog -- UK unemployment fell by 45,000 to 2.63 million between January and March, according to official figures with the jobless rate falling to 8.2% and youth unemployment was down by 17,000 to 1.02 million.

Quest Professional Director, Jo Barnard said: “Quest Professional welcomes the reduction in youth unemployment but we still have a very long way to go. It is way too early to say that we have turned a corner.”

Mrs Barnard also warned that power is still in the hands of employers, who remain cautious before committing to permanent roles for young staff who may not prove to be suitable.

She added: “There is a continuing trend for employers to take on new staff on an initial temporary basis with the view to permanent employment being offered at a later stage.  

“Employers have a wide choice when recruiting due to unemployment levels, but young people are often ill equipped if they have not had the right training.  There is a continuing need for vocational training which prepares young people for the workplace. The government has a responsibility to continue to encourage employers to take on young recruits.  

“Effort should also be focused on graduates that are due to leave University later this year and with fewer employer graduate schemes on offer, the competition at this end of the market is fierce. Often there is inadequate advice available at university with graduates leaving and unaware what they should do next and the steps needed to find a job.”

Quest Professional runs a range of business courses for young people that offer a complete range of business and personal development skills. Their courses ensure that candidates can undertake a variety of roles, which is so vitally important in the competitive jobs market.

Quest Professional has also recently launched an in-house recruitment consultancy which liaises with large and small businesses, providing tailor-made recruitment services for Quest alumni.