Employment tsar Alan Milburn says the decline of the Saturday job has left young people ill-prepared for work, but is it true? We put two experts head to head in this week’s Debate

YES: Many young people are reaching early
career without any practical experience

Holding a weekend job at a local cafe or shop during your school years may appear inconsequential when viewed against the span of an entire career. Yet early roles often provide a young person’s first exposure to the realities and pressures of the workplace – experiences that formal education can’t replicate.

Saturday jobs are where many foundational skills are first developed: dealing with customers, solving problems in real time and taking responsibility for outcomes – transferable capabilities which prove pivotal throughout a professional career, regardless of seniority or industry. As AI, automation and rising costs hit sectors like retail, it’s vital these opportunities remain available to prepare young people for the future.

Their value also extends beyond employability. Spending time each week in a new environment helps young people to broaden the world outside of the classroom and develop a critical self-awareness and independence. Learning how to turn up on time, respond to feedback and contribute consistently to a shared goal are key forms of personal development.

These positions don’t come without challenges.........

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