Why city’s greatest asset faces its biggest challenge
THE disproportionate impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on different demographics has been in sharp focus through numerous reports that have emerged over the past few months.
And, with the media spotlight this week turning to education and the Government’s apparent eagerness to return schools to some degree of normality, it is important we acknowledge and, indeed, address how our young people have been affected.
It is a much-used statistic, of course, that Birmingham has the youngest population of any large city in Europe.
Before Covid-19 came along and life as we knew it ground to a halt, the Second City was also the most popular destination for young people relocating from London.
As of 2017, there were nearly 200,000 people aged between 21 and 30 in Birmingham – up by nearly 50,000 since 2002.
This age group grew at twice the rate of the rest of the city’s population during that 15-year period. The exponential growth is sure to have continued in the three years since.
The above statistics were, and still are, emblematic of our city’s revival. Birmingham over the last few years has become the place to be and that is a status we must fight to hold on to, whatever challenges are thrown at us.
That means persevering, utilising and continuing to nurture the young talent and skills we have here.
This is more important than ever in the light of the pandemic, with a generation of school pupils and university students having their studies disrupted and life-changing exams either put on hold or scrapped completely.
Research from the Office for National Statistics suggests a degree of resilience and positivity among the younger generation.
The ONS data said the 16 to 29 age group were generally optimistic throughout the recent lockdown, although those who were worried about the effect Covid-19 was having on their lives cited the impact on schools and universities (24 per cent) and work (16 per cent) among the main concerns.
Furthermore, of those who highlighted the issue of schools and universities expressed concerns about the uncertainty over their exams and qualifications, or the quality of their education being affected in general.
And let’s not forget the impact on wellbeing and mental health. A survey of 18,000 people in May, three months into lockdown, found mental health illness was most common in 19-year-olds.
They said just over one third of women and just under one quarter of men had symptoms of depression. While many of us have adapted to different ways of working, reports have highlighted that working from home has been a cramped and dismal experience for a lot of young people who live in house-share environments or alone in very small properties.
Volatility in the job market too will have done little to help fears, anxieties and concerns.
According to most recent figures, youth unemployment in Birmingham has risen sharply since March as a result of Covid-19 and there are now 15,355 in the 18 to 24 age group claiming unemployment benefits. This represents 18.3 per cent of our young people.
In the wider West Midlands Combined Authority area, 16.4 per cent of young people claim unemployment benefits. Both statistics are well above the national average of 13.6 per cent.
This paints a rather dreary picture for what it is like to be a young person in our region – but we know this is far from the truth.
Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce is among a number of local organisations that pride themselves on giving a platform to young people across the region.
We do this through our increasingly-popular Future Faces division, which allows young people to network, learn and develop.
In fact, judging took place this week for the annual Future Faces Awards, which will be held in an online ceremony on Friday, August 28.
Every year when these awards come around, the Chamber team never fail to be amazed by the quality and variety of the entries.
It’s a true a testament to some of the wonderful things young people are doing across the region – whether it be in creative industries, professional services, digital, marketing, third sector, apprenticeships or through entrepreneurial spirit.
But we’re also fully aware that celebrating success through glittering awards evenings doesn’t solve some of the burning issues facing the next generation, such as inequalities between different parts of Greater Birmingham.
That’s why we’re grateful to companies like Gymshark, who have sponsored free places for our Future Faces programme, long-time Future Faces patrons Aston University, who are once again offering a fully-funded MBA to this year’s overall award-winner, and Beatfreaks, a growing community of young creatives dedicated to making sure young people have their voices heard.
There are many organisations, too, who are forward-thinking when it comes to apprenticeships.
I’ve said before that I’m confident the region will emerge from the current crisis with its pre-pandemic confidence and momentum intact.
If we are to do this, we must take good care of our future generations. Paul Faulkner is chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of
Commerce
Unemployment among young people in the city has risen sharply since March as a result of Covid-19