Young Scots prepared to work for free to get a job

ALMOST a half of all young people in Scotland are prepared to work for free to get on the career ladder, according to a new survey.

A recent study estimated there are about 70 people applying for every graduate job, as employers cut back on recruitment during the economic downturn.

And many firms taking on non-graduate staff have been forced to suspend recruitment while others are seeking redundancies.

The survey by recruitment firm Reed found that 47 per cent of young people aged 18-24 in Scotland were prepared to take on unpaid internships, more than elsewhere in the UK.

The report from the firm, which operates schemes to help young people on benefits into the workplace, found many were taking desperate measures to secure a job.

It also found young people were being squeezed out of jobs by older, more experienced workers, and thus risked falling into an "unemployment trap".

The survey found Scots were more like to blame a lack of skills for their inability to find employment. And 85 per cent of young Scots said they were prepared to take on temporary work to further their career. Along with people in north-east England, Scots were the group most prepared to take such a measure.

Since the UK went into recession, many employers have been unwilling to take on new staff.

That, coupled with the high numbers of redundancies, means there is a glut of older, experienced staff prepared to take on lower paid roles.

However, experts warned some firms were exploiting such people. David Royston-Lee, a career strategist, said: "Nowadays unfortunately, working for free is one of the ways to secure a job - how are you going to show someone you are capable of doing the job otherwise?

"It does get your foot in the door. However, there is a danger that some companies use it as slave labour.

"But people soon get to realise which organisations are doing this and stay clear of them."

Critics have also voiced concern about firms which charge students for undertaking unpaid internships.

One leading online firm, the University of Dreams, charges up to 5,800 for a package which includes a two-month internship in London, food, accommodation and careers seminars.

Paid internships can be bought at companies including EMI music marketing, Chanel, Giorgio Armani and United Colours of Benetton

Chris Melvin, CEO of Reed in Partnership, described young Scots as savvy in securing a job.

He said: "Almost half of young Scots understand the importance of work experience and are willing to undertake placements - whether paid or not."Actively seeking to demonstrate your interest in a particular field by undertaking work experience shows enthusiasm and initiative - two vital skills employers will look for.

"As the job market continues to put pressure on 18-24-year-olds, young people in Scotland are setting an example for the rest of the UK."