A new report has warned that the number of “starter jobs” available to young people in Birmingham has almost halved over the past decade, as artificial intelligence and wider economic changes reshape the labour market.<\/p>\n
Research by the University of Birmingham’s City-Region Economic Development Institute (City-REDI), commissioned by The Rigby Foundation and The Sir Peter Rigby Charitable Trust, found entry-level jobs have fallen by 49% over the last 10 years.<\/p>\n
The report argues that Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and rapid advances in AI have combined to create a “perfect storm” for young people trying to enter the workforce, with fewer opportunities in sectors that have traditionally provided a first step into employment.<\/p>\n
It warns that, without action, the West Midlands could lose \u00a33.1 billion in economic output and 27,600 jobs across all age groups by 2030 as industries adapt to AI and other structural changes.<\/p>\n
Researchers say young people continue to aspire to careers in professions such as medicine, law and the creative industries, despite growing opportunities in digital, data and green sectors. At the same time, declining access to work experience and careers advice is leaving many disconnected from emerging opportunities.<\/p>\n
Among the report’s recommendations is the creation of a city-wide work experience brokerage service to connect employers with schools and colleges, alongside a “Birmingham work experience passport” that would allow students to record placements and use them when applying for jobs or further education. The passport would be part-funded by The Rigby Foundation.<\/p>\n
The report also calls for AI training for teachers and careers advisers, stronger employer engagement in schools and a campaign to raise awareness of career opportunities across Birmingham.<\/p>\n
Steve Rigby, chair of The Rigby Foundation and chief executive of Rigby Group, said: “This report makes clear that we are not facing a failure of ambition among young people, but a failure of opportunity.<\/p>\n
“The system designed to support them into work is not keeping pace with a labour market that is changing at an unprecedented pace.”<\/p>\n
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said tackling barriers to youth employment had been a priority since taking office.<\/p>\n
He said the West Midlands Combined Authority had committed \u00a375 million to construction skills training, backed more than 1,500 young people through its Youth Trailblazer programme and was working towards a target of creating 20,000 work experience and training opportunities through its Youth Pledge.<\/p>\n
The report concludes that while initiatives already exist across Birmingham, a more coordinated approach between employers, education providers and public bodies is needed to improve employment prospects for young people.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A new report has warned that the number of “starter jobs” available to young people in Birmingham has almost halved over the past decade<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":284306,"featured_media":2114284,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[127684,50204],"coauthors":[137138],"class_list":["post-2114283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-recruitment","category-technology","tag-featured-story"],"yoast_head":"\n