MORE THAN half of 16-25-year-olds in the West Midlands fear AI will impact their job chances.
This is according to a report published by The King’s Trust (formerly The Prince’s Trust), which was carried out by YouGov.
It also found that 71 per cent of young people wish they were not starting their careers in the current economic climate and up to 77 per cent worry there will not be enough jobs for people like them.
The research, carried out with support from TK Maxx, highlights that alongside economic uncertainty, two thirds (66 per cent) of young people are worried about the impact of artificial intelligence on their future job security. This is a rise of 17 per cent since last year.
Alex Khanyaghma, West Midlands head of delivery at The King’s Trust says: “When The King’s Trust first began, it was responding to a generation of young people growing up with uncertainty about their futures.
“Today, the world may look very different, shaped by new technologies and changing industries, but for many young people in the West Midlands that underlying fear has not gone away. Too many feel locked out of opportunities and unsure whether a secure future is really within their reach.
“This research gives voice to those concerns. It shows how deeply anxious young people are about work and what lies ahead, particularly those already facing the toughest barriers.
“By standing alongside young people now, helping them build skills, belief and resilience, we can open doors, break cycles of disadvantage and help the next generation of young people in the West Midlands to thrive.”
This report shows that most young people in the West Midlands feel unequipped for the changing world of work and an increasingly competitive job market.
And three out of five (61 per cent) say they felt unprepared for how competitive the jobs market would be after leaving education, while almost two thirds (64 per cent) believe most entry level jobs available to young people are insecure.
The report suggests these worries are having a damaging impact on young people’s wellbeing and aspirations for the future, particularly for those facing adversity. Almost a third (31 per cent) of young people feel they are going to fail in life.
Alex added: “As we celebrate 50 years having supported over a million young people to build a better future, The King’s Trust remains more determined than ever in our vision of ending youth unemployment, tackling inequality and ultimately, ensuring every young person has the chance to build a secure and fulfilling future.”
The King’s Trust, formerly The Prince’s Trust, has helped 1.3 million young people during the past 50 years to build the confidence and skills they need to move into work.
Last year, 67,000 young people benefitted from Trust programmes, with three in four moving into work, education or training.
The anniversary report, supported by TK Maxx, reflects the strength of long-term partnerships that help young people gain the confidence, skills and experience they need to take their first steps into work.
