STARTER jobs for young people aged between 16 and 24 have halved in the past decade, research shows.

Entry-level roles have dropped from 139,329 to 71,110, with the steepest falls in sectors that once offered a first foot on the ladder.

Sign up for the Money newsletter

Thank you!

Starter jobs for young people aged between 16 and 24 have halved in the past decade, research shows Credit: Alamy

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately urged the Government to “take decisive steps” for young people Credit: Alamy

Positions in human resources, sales, advertising and marketing are down 73 per cent and those in retail and call centres by 59 per cent, it was found.

Some regions have been notably badly hit, with six applicants for each starter vacancy in the North East against a three to one UK average.

Researchers also found that young people are demoralised at getting little or no feedback to their applications.

The Work Foundation at Lancaster University study — to be unveiled to MPs including Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately today — has urged the Government to “take decisive steps to improve quality and ­security of work” for young people.

JOB CRISIS
Labour to kill more jobs as bosses warn zero-hour crackdown

STEPPING DOWN
Nostalgic UK shoe chain ‘plotting string of closures’ with 100 jobs at risk

It follows an interim Government report warning of a “lost generation” of young people facing life on benefits.

The UK now has more than one million young people not in ­education, employment or training (Neets).

AI recruitment and automation also appeared to create additional barriers for young people with lower educational attainment.

Ben Harrison, Director of the Work Foundation at Lancaster University, urged the Government to show support particularly in parts of the country where the jobs market is weakest.