Jimmy Beale, Founder of The English Education
the future Anyone who has to predict the job market for young people leaving school in the next few years has a very difficult task. Not only has the global pandemic “upended” any economic and sectoral forecast, but the mental and social impact of the last twelve months on all young people has been significant. uBe-8
Recent research by the Mental Health Foundation and Swansea University has shown the vast majority of (68 per cent) British teenagers fear the pandemic will make the future worse for people their age.
Professor Ann John, of Swansea University, said: “The pandemic has disrupted the lives of millions of British teenagers. As our survey shows, many are worried about their mental well-being and the future. Over two-thirds have felt alone. Prioritising the mental health of teenagers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond is critical. That is why we need to take action now, to make sure support is available for those who need it, while guaranteeing access and enabling transitions to training, education and employment. Only through being proactive can we ensure the pandemic does not have long-lasting consequences.” Shockingly, pessimism increases fairly steadily with age, the survey found: from 57 percent of 13 year-olds surveyed saying life will be worse for their age group, to 78 percent of 19 year-olds.
