Teenagers 'optimistic about jobs'

Business leaders are urging employers to have faith in young people

Most young people are confident of finding a job despite the economic downturn, a survey suggests.

The government-commissioned poll of 765 15 to 19-year-olds found nearly 90% felt they would find work and more than half rejected the idea of signing on.

The findings contrast with a separate survey looking at adults' views of young people joining the workforce.

It showed about three-quarters of 1,000 adults polled felt they worked harder in their youth than today's teenagers.

The online poll of 25 to 64-year-olds also found more than a third thought most teenagers would only work reluctantly, doing the bare minimum to get by.

'Fresh thinking'

Of the teenagers interviewed for the government survey, about 70% thought people claiming benefits should do all they could to get back to work, while 6% believed the jobless should be able to do as they liked.

The surveys appear to highlight a gulf between the attitudes of young people and the older generation's perception of them.

If we stop believing in young people, young people will stop believing in themselves Martina Milburn, Prince's Trust chief executive

Business leaders have warned employers against writing off the young and are urging them to give encouragement and support.

Tim Campbell, a winner of the BBC's The Apprentice who went on to set up the Bright Ideas Trust for young entrepreneurs, said young people were key to a healthy and competitive future for British business.

"Young people can bring the fresh thinking and enthusiasm to a business that can really help it thrive and, in my view, that's a great return on a little investment," he said.

Chief executive of the Prince's Trust Martina Milburn said Britain's youth were the "spark plugs of our economy".

"If we stop believing in young people, young people will stop believing in themselves," she said.

In the past, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has complained that many school leavers lack some of the basic skills in communication and numeracy needed in the workplace.

'Positive attitude'

Susan Anderson, the CBI's director of education and skills, said businesses were aware of their role in providing high quality work experience.

"Young people who have a positive attitude to work and who develop these vitals skills will succeed in work and life," she said.

Earlier this week, children's charity Barnardo's accused society of "casually condemning" young people.

It followed the publication of a survey which found about half of adults thought children were dangerous and behaved like animals.