You’re Fried: The Realities of Youth Employment in the West Midlands Age-based Discrimination: The Struggles of Youth Employment and the Need for Change

A blog by a youth co-creator

March 2025

*Aliases have been used to protect young people’s identities 

The following blog was written by Quinn one of our youth co-creators on the INSPIRE Legislative Theatre Project. Quinn shares with us her reflections around age-based discrimination for young people in employment and looking for work. 

Talking about the problem….

In recent sessions, I've been reflecting on the harsh realities many young people face looking for employment and it has shown me the importance of the work we are doing here and the potential impact we can make in this space.

One of the most striking discussions we had today was about the unfortunate reality for many young people who end up working in places like McDonald's, despite their aspirations for better jobs or higher education. We talked about how young people can have different struggles with grades, apprenticeships, or work experience, which can lead to a cycle of low-paying jobs that aren’t meaningful. We also spoke about the lack of support and care from managers where young people work which can also really impact mental health.

The sessions have made me realise how hard people work for their money and the sacrifices they make. It's disheartening to think that without changes in policies and better opportunities for young people, many might never achieve their dreams. We need to push policymakers to understand that if young people don't get good jobs or experience early on, it becomes increasingly difficult to secure better opportunities later in life. 

What we are learning and how we should be treated…

It's really important that we advocate for licenses for workplaces to employ younger people and make sure that they are treated fairly. Many young people, including myself, have applied for or would consider jobs that are low-paying, menial tasks just to earn some money. This shouldn't be the norm. We should be able to apply for jobs because they offer good pay and opportunities, not out of desperation.

The sessions have also taught me about zero-hour contracts and the legalities around age discrimination. It's shocking how often young people are asked their age during job applications, despite it being illegal. Even though this is the case many young people, including myself, have been asked about our age when applying for jobs, which is both frustrating and disheartening. The dilemma of whether to disclose your age is challenging. If you do, you risk being rejected; if you don't, you might still face rejection.

 We need to be seen and treated as real people with real problems, just like anyone else looking for a job. Our struggles and aspirations deserve recognition and support from both policymakers and employers so we can create a better future for ourselves and the generations to come.

Our sessions have made us feel like a family at the INSPIRE Legislative Theatre Project, but reality remains that many young people face severe mental health issues or even contemplate suicide due to unemployment issues. 

I recently had a conversation with an older person about county lines. We spoke about how students resort to illegal activities because they believe the education system won't help them secure a good job. This is yet another reminder of how broken the system is and how little support there is for young people to get meaningful employment. It’s all messed up and the worst part is job centres. They often give you very little support and suitable employment, making it even harder for young people.

Looking ahead….

Policymakers need to recognise that we are real people with real problems. We deserve to be treated with respect and given the same opportunities as anyone else. Our struggles should not be brushed aside; we shouldn’t be treated like we are stupid.

We need to push for changes that ensure young people are treated fairly in the workplace and given opportunities to succeed. This includes better support from job centres, more awareness about legal protections against age discrimination, and a more supportive education system. Policymakers and employers need to see us as capable people who deserve a fair chance at success just like everyone else.