How the employability epidemic is affecting students in Leeds

Despite student loans aiming to aid those in University, most students without parental financial support are required to search for part time work in order to fund their day to day lives. 

Unfortunately for those in Leeds, the job market is not adjusted to the influx of around 210,000 students that, according to UCAS, relocate to the city for University. For the students who are applying to a multitude of positions, the general consensus is to expect to hear nothing back.

Alongside the dishheartened attitude most applicants are provided with, the difficulty of accessing a regular interval of funding adds stress to an already demanding position of being a full time student. 

Speaking to a student who in the entirety of first year applied to around 40 jobs, “Employers are seeking students who are able to commute over the holidays and for most that’s not possible,” showing there is an evident lack of support and help directed to those seeking part time work.

Although the University of Leeds itself offers an array of work to students, the question is it enough to accommodate the mass amount of undergraduates?

Vacancies that are opened around the city for hospitality or retail usually require years of experience that young pupils do not retain, making it impossible to apply never mind actually obtain the job.

Those who do have experience and are even significantly overqualified still seem to be unable to progress from application to employee. Where are students going wrong?

Any solution to this issue would still not accommodate all students looking for part time work, as the city of Leeds is consistently expanding and opening restaurants/ shops etc.,opportunities are constantly advertised which arguably is all the council can provide. 

However, creating easier application processes and Leeds Universities establishing employing relationships with nearby food and beverage sectors may encourage companies to take on more students for part time work, bridging the gap for unemployed undergraduates that are not receiving funds from their parents.