The UK Has Given Up on Student Jobs: But Why?
Introduction
Over the last few years however, students — and their older counterparts too — have seen dramatic reductions in the number of part time and flexible jobs available to them in the UK. The ability to work while studying, to earn some extra cash or just to get some work experience has become difficult. Starting from this year, securing appropriate work while studying has become more competitive for both domestic students and international students.
This is driven by a range of interrelated changes across economic, social, and policy factors. COVID-19, immigration rule changes and labour market changes are a few factors behind the decrease in jobs for students. These reasons are crucial for anyone working their way around to examine the present UK job market scenario — and this will help decide their academic and financial strategies in future too.
UK Labour Market: The Changing Nature Of Work
The Decade in ContextThe UK labour market has changed drastically over the last 10 years. Despite growth in certain industries and the contraction in others, the entry-level job market has directly responded to the abilities of students. Typically, students would get part-time jobs in retail, hospitality and customer service. Flexible labour was crucial to these industries, particularly weekends and nights — perfect for the student juggling academics.
Nonetheless, most of these jobs have vanished،or reduced a lot. This evolution has transformed the landscape of retail, moving the market toward online shopping and eliminating the need for a multitude of low-wage, shop assistants. Most hospitality businesses such as pubs restaurants and cafes have been having trouble in terms of staff, some are even closing up because it would be expensive to keep their doors open for long hours. Fewer shifts for casual and part-time workers with many students falling into this category.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the biggest disturbances has affected the UK job market in most recent memory. Lockdowns closed or reduced key industries during a time when students find jobs such as hospitality, retail, entertainment, and tourism. Many businesses were still unable to make up the lost ground even after COVID restrictions ended.
Companies reduced their workforce, permanently, to save costs. Some turned to automation and the Internet to find ways to remove some jobs. Self-checkout systems at supermarkets, app-based ordering at restaurants, and online customer support are examples of these solutions, which have all minimized labor requirements.
More competition for every role available as a result of a pandemic-induced backlog of job seekers. Older workers displaced, often applied for what had been jobs for students, again requiring experience that the less than young and inexperienced had in the past.
More Competition from Other Job Applicants
But students are not the only ones looking for part-time and flexible work in the current UK job market. A vast number of applicants, which includes the underemployed, parents looking for flexible schedules, and older workers coming back to the labor force, are competing for the same jobs. It also leads to stiffer competition, allowing employers to be picky, which usually means they want more experienced candidates or candidates who can commit longer hours than what a student can offer.
VISA restrictions also mean international students have more competition because they are only allowed to work a maximum number of hours. Because students are not able to work full-time or at weird hours, they tend to lose out on some job opportunities, as employers often want someone full-time rather than part-time.
Modifications to Immigration and Employment Laws
Number of student jobs in the UK has also been affected by UK immigration rules for foreign students. Most student visas have limits on how many hours can be worked through term time and these restrictions are strict. To many employers, this restriction means that hiring students just does not make sense, because they could hire someone who has full-time availability.
In addition, post-Brexit, free movement between UK and EU came to an end which had led to a reduction in numbers of EU nationals working in some sectors. Robbery though this only created spaces, not many sectors were able to find qualified labour and were forced to either change the model of operations, automate, or, unfortunately, downsize completely.
Pressure from the cost of living and higher wages
On the one hand, the UK cost of living crisis had a double effect on student work. Many smaller businesses — especially in hospitality and retail — have had to shut or lay off staff as energy bills, rent and supply costs have risen. This has a direct effect of elimination of job positions.
Secondly, whilst an increase in the National Minimum Wage is good news for workers, it is still putting pressure on employers which may lead to a cut-hour motion on part timers to keep wage expenditure to a constant. Because many businesses would rather hire less employees for more hours than multiple part-time workers, students with little availability find themselves at yet another disadvantage.
Automation and Technological Changes
Technology and automation have evolved predicting the future of work in the UK. Physically basic positions that were performed through self-service machines, automated checkouts, app-driven ordering systems, and AI-powered customer service, are replaced with technology. Digital solutions are becoming ever more attractive for companies to make margins, especially in some of the industries that previously employed students to work face-to-face serving customers, processing payments and answering questions etc.
Of course, the other side of the equation has to do with what technology creates too — new roles right? But so much of technology creates roles that require skills or qualifications that many of the students of the moment do not possess, thus it is harder to compete.
Shortened Production Hours in Major Sectors
A lot of industries that usually rely on student workers have cut back their hours. With demand low and running costs high, pubs and restaurants staying open less, retail stores dropping their night shifts and entertainment venues running at limited capacity. There will be less shifts Available for Casual staff.
Moreover, businesses that do take on part-time employees are more likely to seek individuals who are available to sign longer-term contracts or seasonal employment (over Christmas or during the summer holidays for example) and this does not always align with the availability of students.
Finding Employers Who Want More Flexibility than Students
These days, employers want staff to be readily flexible, ready to work during the late hours of night, on weekends and even on holidays. But that is often hard to do, particularly with academic timetables and exam times to meet. This does not work out for people who are going to be busy with coursework and studying which is something that most employers will steer away from.
Another phenomenon that impacts the dwindling job opportunities for the people within distance learning is the mismatch between the employers expectations and student availability.
The Role of Remote Work
More common remote work in the UK has done little to help students in terms of part-time work. However, due to the technical skills, experience, and equipment required for a lot of remote jobs, these are not always available for someone just entering their careers. Also, many remote jobs in customer service or administration require specific hours during the day, which may conflict with the class hours.
The International Student Experience
It becomes a fair bit tougher for students from abroad. Visa regulations restrict students from working more than 20 hours a week during term time, and often, they have to juggle between classes and work to accommodate both. This is a major inconvenience for employers, especially when they’re hiring for positions that require a bit more regular availability.
Although many international students are highly skilled and motivated, language barriers, lack of local work experience, and unfamiliarity with the UK job market may further diminish the prospect of part-time employment.
Potential Solutions and What Lies Ahead
The lack of job prospects for students is a troubling trend but there is hope. Local governments and universities could collaborate with employers to set up job schemes, internships and flexible roles with students in mind. Another way to fix this is to encourage businesses to conduct training and have students come to them for possible employment.
They could have to find other ways to make money — freelancing, tutoring, working online, or starting their own business etc. The types of jobs available in the future are also likely to evolve, with more digital, healthcare, and specific technical job opportunities offering students the chance to prepare through focused skill development.
Conclusion
The changes to student jobs in the UK are due to a mix of economic changes, the rise of new technologies, increased competition and legislative restrictions. Although not really things they can control directly, students can start adjusting their job search techniques or at least preparing for how the job market will change.
When students focus on acquiring essential skills, are as flexible as possible with their interests, and use university career services, they can always find jobs after graduation. While this may have changed with the job market, it is still possible to get a meaningful work experience while studying in UK with the correct strategy.