In the current position of the economy, part-time jobs for teenagers have become more crucial than ever. With constant pressure from family, 16-year-olds are practically force-feeding businesses their CVs, and more often than not, having no replies or unsuccessful attempts. “Thank you for your application however, we will not be progressing any further due to your lack of experience”. How is one meant to gain experience in a workplace when employers wince at the date of birth and discard the CV when the only relevant experience is their Year 10 work experience week with their dad? Successfully being accepted into the job is one thing, sustaining it is another.
For some unknown reason, anyone over the age of 17 feels the need to patronise their younger colleagues as if they aren’t doing the exact same job. Everyone can understand that being new is difficult but being 16 and new is painful. As soon as you step on the premises, suddenly everyone is a general manager and either ignores you or appoints themselves as your personal mentor; it’s one extreme or the other.
The minimum wage for 16-year-olds being £5.28 is honestly shocking when the majority of them are the people who are working the hardest. Not to mention that an 8-hour shift of, quite often, back-breaking work only equates to £42.24 which most of the time does not feel worth it. While juggling college, extra-curricular activities, sports, friends and relationships, it seems worthless dedicating so many hours to work that doesn’t feel enriching or rewarding of your dedication.
Of course, not many 16-year-olds are providing for a family, paying tax and they aren’t permitted to work with alcohol or other certain products. With that being said, driving lessons, cars, insurance, and Christmas presents are all very real and increasingly expensive factors which rinse our bank accounts and unfortunately, £40.00 a week just won’t cut it. We have seen recently that the minimum wage has been increased to £11.44, but nothing has changed for 16-year-olds.