April 24, 2015 - Written by: Becky Solomon

So… how about paying me?

There’s is no denying it, the election is coming up and I’m trying to make sense of it all wondering who is going to best serve my interests as a ‘young person’.

Firstly I’m going to admit, I’m lazy with this sort of stuff. My ears are listening but I want someone to physically tell me what they are going to do rather than me having to pull it out and read it from somewhere. If these guys want to reach me, they better make it loud and obvious (surely they’re paying some people to do that?).

Secondly, what I also need to remind myself, is that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I really hate it when someone is incredibly patronising to me about which way I might be swinging. (Hey, I’m young(ish) and not too cynical yet! Let me make my mistakes and be done with it! What’s the point in having a vote if you’re just going to do what someone tells you to do).

I’ve been waiting to hear what the good news for all the young people, what they are going to do to get our vote. All I’ve heard so far is about is a bloody great deal about the amount of increased apprenticeships.

Well, that’s great for those who might be coming up to their A levels but what about the university students?

It feels a little like these paid entry-level roles that graduates are so desperately searching for, are going to young school leavers because they come at a much better price (maybe I am cynical after all).

My work touches on employment amongst other things. One of the key things that keeps coming up is the ‘something for nothing’ idea.

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Why do we still expect people to work for nothing as a means to get their foot in the door?

I know there are some genuine voluntary opportunities, where people willingly dedicate their skills for something they feel passionate about, but there are also those who are doing it because it’s sometimes an expected route into employment. I’m not sure if that’s right.

I have done it and I did it to build my CV and to look more employable but personally I feel this should have been worked into university rather than a desperate scrambling attempt afterwards to pick up some work related skills.

However it’s not voluntary work if you are expected to turn up at a certain time to do set hours (within reason) and set tasks. If you do, it’s a job and you ought to be paid.

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Whilst I have dedicated my time willingly to places, one manager alluded to giving me a bad reference if I didn’t turn up at the right times etc. Tricky isn’t it?

Yes, graduates may lack some work etiquette but nothing that can’t be picked up quickly. Some businesses recognise that graduates can be a good investment but it seems like many others would like to employ them without having to cover the cost.

I don’t see how paying someone nothing contributes positively to the economy.

Just as much as businesses like to keep costs down, young people liked to be paid. Frankly, it takes the piss to think otherwise. At our age, it’s highly unlikely we work for free just for pleasure.

As for apprenticeships, the costs seem to make it a low risk investment for businesses but when they are using them to fill entry level roles left right and centre, I feel it might be creating an issue for slightly older ‘young’ people to get paid a proper wage.

It feels a bit like A level leavers, who have in the majority of cases not had to pay for their education yet, are entitled to a wage (albeit sometimes at an incredibly low level) and yet graduates who are in huge amounts of debt are often expected to work for free as a ‘volunteer’ or ‘intern’?

This is just my view of from my own experiences and I’m not saying it’s accurate but I do feel there is some sort of gap missing when it comes to getting graduates into work.

So parties, what are you going to do to ensure young people are paid a decent wage that doesn’t exclude graduates? I’m listening…

If you enjoyed this article, why not check out ‘Who’s voting then?’