Research says youth jobs are shrinking - myGwork shows what’s still out there

Recent research and reports often indicate that job opportunities for young people are tightening. Entry‑level roles have fallen, rejection is common, and many graduates feel they are sending CVs into a void. The risk of a “lost generation” feels very real.

Luckily, platforms such as myGwork and events like WorkPride 2026 give this story a different direction. We help to create practical routes into work for young people, especially those who feel excluded or unseen, including LGBTQ+ talent and allies.

How to access early‑career roles on myGwork

myGwork connects inclusive employers with students, graduates and young professionals. The focus is clear: real roles that build a first CV.

Typical opportunities include:

• Internships and placements
• Graduate schemes
• Junior and analyst roles
• Apprenticeships and school‑leaver programmes

Internships found via myGwork often come with defined projects, supervision and feedback. Many are linked to clear conversion routes into permanent roles. Those who send hundreds of applications with no reply, structure and clarity like this can make the difference between giving up and trying again.

Graduate and junior roles found on myGwork span many sectors. Examples include junior analyst positions in finance and data, entry‑level consulting posts, assistant marketing or communications roles, graduate engineering and tech jobs, and operations or client services positions. Employers advertise these roles with early‑career candidates in mind, rather than treating them as an afterthought.

Apprenticeships and school‑leaver schemes on the platform offer paid training plus recognised qualifications. Degree apprenticeships in areas such as technology, business and finance appeal to those who want to avoid heavy student debt. For young people who left school or college without a clear plan, these programmes provide a structured route into skilled work.

Flexible and remote entry‑level roles appear on myGwork as well. Part‑time customer support, junior content roles and remote internships allow young people to work alongside study, caring duties or health needs. This is especially important for those managing anxiety, ADHD or other conditions that can make it more difficult to work.

Why myGwork matters for young people

Three elements stand out.

First, visibility. Many early‑career roles are hard to find or buried in complex corporate sites. myGwork gathers them in one place and flags employers that welcome young and diverse applicants.

Second, safety. LGBTQ+ young people often worry about discrimination or feeling forced back into the closet. myGwork features organisations that publicly commit to inclusion, pride networks and supportive policies. This reduces the guesswork involved in deciding where it is safe to apply.

Third, preparation. Alongside vacancies, myGwork offers articles, webinars and community discussions on CV writing, interviews, workplace rights and coming out at work. This guidance fills the gap often left by education and welfare systems that many young people feel are no longer preparing them for real working life.

The opportunity in WorkPride 2026

WorkPride is myGwork’s annual global careers and inclusion event. This year it is taking place on June 8-12, and for young people who feel disconnected from employers, it will function as an intensive, accessible introduction to the world of work.

Key benefits will include:

• Direct access to recruiters and hiring managers through live sessions and Q&As
• Panels with early‑career professionals who describe honest routes into their roles
• Skills sessions on CVs, interviews, networking and LinkedIn
• Discussions on mental health, neurodiversity and workplace wellbeing

For those whose education was disrupted by lockdowns, WorkPride helps rebuild social and professional skills that classroom teaching often overlooked. Participants learn how to introduce themselves, ask questions, follow up after events and maintain contacts. These seemingly small abilities have a big impact on whether an application stands out.

Networking at WorkPride does not rely on having an existing circle. Young attendees can connect with peers in similar positions, join employer talent communities and build relationships with mentors. One conversation can lead to an informational interview, then an internship or junior role.

Click here to learn more about WorkPride 2026 and what it can offer.

For young adults who feel that effort no longer leads to opportunity, myGwork offers a different message. There are employers searching for them. There are roles designed for their stage of life. And there are communities ready to help them move from applications that go nowhere to interviews, first jobs and long‑term careers.

Take a look at what's available on the myGwork jobs page now, and sign up to hear more about opportunities.