UK AI Job Cuts Put Young Workers Under Pressure UK

A growing number of UK employers are cutting entry level jobs. A new survey says more than one in three British firms have reduced the number of roles open to young workers over the past year. The change is linked in part to the rise of artificial intelligence and other forms of automation.

The survey was carried out for Lancaster University’s Work Foundation. It shows that 36 per cent of firms have cut the number of entry level jobs. The share was higher among larger firms. Almost half of large employers said they had fewer vacancies than they did a year ago.

The figures add to concern about the path young people take into work. Entry level jobs are often the first step for people who have just left school, college or university. They give young workers a chance to gain skills. They also help people build work records that can lead to better jobs.

When those roles fall, young workers can face a harder start. They may need more time to find work. Some may take jobs that do not match their skills. Others may stay in education for longer or leave the labour market while they look for a way in.

Artificial intelligence is one part of the change. Many firms are now testing AI tools that can handle tasks once done by junior staff. These tasks can include basic research, data work, customer support and routine office work. Automation can help firms save time. But it can also reduce the need for some early career roles.

The survey does not say that AI is the only reason for the fall in jobs. Firms are also dealing with wider business pressure. Costs remain a concern for many companies. Employers may be more careful about hiring when they are unsure about future demand.

Still, the role of AI is becoming harder to ignore. Technology is changing how firms plan their workforces. Jobs that once helped young staff learn basic skills may be among the first to change.

Ben Harrison of the Work Foundation said young people are entering one of the toughest job markets in years. He said they face strong competition for fewer entry level jobs and fewer chances to gain a secure start in work.

The trend could have wider effects on the UK economy. Young workers need a way to gain skills before they can move into more senior roles. If fewer people enter through junior jobs, firms may later face a shortage of skilled staff.

This could create a gap between the needs of employers and the skills of workers. Companies may use more AI because they cannot find the right people. At the same time, young people may struggle to gain the experience needed for the jobs that remain.

Employers may need to rethink how they train new staff. AI does not have to remove the need for young workers. It can also be used to help them learn. A junior employee could use AI to check work, find information and complete simple tasks while gaining new skills.

Training will become more important as the labour market changes. Schools, universities and employers may need to work more closely together. Young people will need skills that work well with new technology. These may include problem solving, communication and the ability to use AI tools in a safe way.

The government also faces a challenge. A weak start in the labour market can affect a person's future earnings. It can also affect tax income and economic growth over time. Helping young people enter work may therefore become a larger part of economic policy.

The latest survey is a warning rather than a final picture. AI use is still changing fast. Some jobs may disappear. New jobs may also appear. The key issue is whether enough new roles will emerge for people starting their careers.

For now, the message is clear. Young workers are facing a tougher route into British workplaces. AI and automation are changing the jobs firms need. The UK will need to make sure that technology creates new paths into work, not just fewer first jobs.