As thousands of school-leavers anticipate A-level results day on Thursday 13th August, early careers disruptor Fledglink is aiming to minimise the impact of COVID-19 on youth employment by providing those not going to university or choosing to defer with an ‘alternative to clearing’.
Just over one million 18-24-year-olds will likely be unemployed this year as a result of COVID-19’s economic fallout. In fact, the pandemic has seen the employment chances of non-graduates fall by more than a third, making them the biggest group of youths to struggle with finding employment in 2020.
A-level results day this year will be a day like no other, as school-leavers enter adult life amid a global pandemic. The cancellation of exams due to COVID-19 has only heightened the uncertainty many students face after leaving school. So what are their options if things don’t go as planned?
For those set on university this year, the well-trodden path of clearing is well signposted. Universities are anticipating less international students than ever, making way for school-leavers to find a space at universities through clearing, even if they don’t receive the grades typically needed.
Those who decide to defer the university experience because of the impact of COVID-19, or make the decision that further education isn’t for them are facing uncertain employment prospects.
On Thursday 13th August, the Fledglink app, website and social media channels will be displaying entry-level jobs, work placements, apprenticeships, and learning opportunities so that no school leaver ends the day without a clear picture of what their options and next steps are.
Studies show that if a young person has four or more interactions with an employer, they are 86% less likely to become NEET. So, whether they have vacancies or not, Fledglink is allowing employers to support school leavers. Fledglink is calling all employers to pledge at least one week’s work experience opportunity for a school leaver. By doing this, employers have the opportunity to make a real difference to young people’s prospects and change the bleak statistics non-graduates are facing.
