The report, which is named ‘the death of the Saturday job’, found that the number of 16 and 17 year olds combining part-time work with their studies has halved, from 42% in 1996 to only 18% in 2014.
Furthermore, one in five young people (20%) reported that hours of work were too restrictive, with nearly a quarter (23%) reporting a lack of jobs in the local area.
Simon Tarr, managing director of People 1st, said: “Though these statistics are alarming, our own findings suggest that almost half (41%) of waiting staff are also full-time students, alongside 25% of bar staff, making hospitality – and the flexible hours it offers – one of the most popular areas for young people to begin their journeys into the world of work.
“Turnover is currently too high, but with a renewed focus on training and, most importantly, career progression opportunities – demonstrating to young people that there is a defined pathway up the ladder and that their futures are being invested in – hospitality is perfectly placed to help stop the rot and offer some of the most rewarding jobs in the UK.”