I have a vacancy but no one wants to work!

POSSETTE · 4 March 2011 at 12:32PM

We keep hearing about young people having no job prospects, but they dont want them!
We have had an apprenticeship vacancy offer going for a few weeks now, to learn food prep and train to be a chef.16-19 is the age range for apprenticeships, but no one has applied. If you can cook in a commercial kitchen you can travel anywhere in world and pick up a job, career for life etc...seems they dont want to work.
I will say we are a village pub and transport is needed but surely, some parents would kill to get their child a job and drive them:j

Are there any other employers out there finding the same problem?

ohreally · 4 March 2011 at 12:43PM

POSSETTE wrote: »

.16-19 is the age range for apprenticeships

I think you may find this is incorrect.

Out of interest is the post really an apprentice or is it a trainee?

Strider590 · 4 March 2011 at 12:47PM

Transport is undoubtedly the main issue.... Youngsters can't afford car insurance these days and most "working class" families have two incomes and can't play Taxi during those work hours. Most "middle class" to "upper wannabe class" (see definition of middle and add lots of credit cards) kids who have cars bought (and paid) for them, don't need to work will be off to uni.

There's also the issue of the banning of "home economics" in schools for sexist reasons, many youngsters now have never been introduced to that world and have no interest in food, beyond cheesestrings and microwaved chips.

You need to offer stable/guaranteed working hours and a liveable wage and eventually you'll find someone.

hayley11 · 4 March 2011 at 12:47PM

Have you advertised it everywhere you possibly can? Schools, colleges, youth centres, the job centre?

It is surprising though, like you say with so many people out of work. Good luck finding somebody

Gordon_Hose · 4 March 2011 at 12:54PM

Are there any other ways to get to the pub for work? Bus, train etc? If not then I think that's your problem.

Most 16-19 years olds struggle to buy and insure a car (nor can 16 year olds legally drive!). Also, most parents work themselves and don't have the time do ferry their 19 year old darlings around.

Also, they only get £2.50 an hour on an apprenticeship, spending most of that on travel is gonna put most off, especially if you're in the sticks.

MrRedundant · 4 March 2011 at 1:29PM

So basically you offered a pittance for an "apprentice" and are located miles away which requires a car and wonder why no one applied.... I'd get advertising for a business apprentice too.

wine_night · 4 March 2011 at 1:34PM

POSSETTE wrote: »

We keep hearing about young people having no job prospects, but they dont want them!
We have had an apprenticeship vacancy offer going for a few weeks now, to learn food prep and train to be a chef.16-19 is the age range for apprenticeships, but no one has applied. If you can cook in a commercial kitchen you can travel anywhere in world and pick up a job, career for life etc...seems they dont want to work.
I will say we are a village pub and transport is needed but surely, some parents would kill to get their child a job and drive them:j

Are there any other employers out there finding the same problem?

Given that the catering industry is generally unsociable hours, could you offer reduced lodging as part of the package?

charlieismydarling · 4 March 2011 at 1:36PM

I have never heard of apprenticeships based in a pub. Do the applicants get the opportunity to attend college and gain qualifications?

katkim · 4 March 2011 at 1:59PM

I don't think it's probably a case of not wanting to work, but the practicalities.

I agree, transport sounds like your main issue, especially if it's unsociable hours and public transport isn't available at those times. With rises in insurance, petrol etc not many teenagers can afford a car, even on a generous wage let along an apprentice wage.

The benefits of the job (extent of training/qualifications, experience, renumeration etc) have got to balance with the costs (transport, effort, work/life balance).

getmore4less · 4 March 2011 at 2:03PM

Whats the pay?

System · 4 March 2011 at 2:15PM

Transport is definitely a killer here. My daughter looked at an apprenticeship in the catering trade but as it would be over 15 miles away and the last transport to our village is at 7PM then it was a non-starter.