It makes me feel quite dehumanised': young at London career fair lay bare barriers to a job

"Westfield White City is the biggest shopping mall in the UK and it is no stranger to crowds of young people parading through its halls. But instead of swarming the retail shops for the latest exclusive fashion drop, the hundreds of people in attendance this weekend are in search for something even more sought after and rarefied: a job. The London job show is the capital's biggest career event. It is held every year and hosts a range of employers from the Metropolitan police to car valet services."

"Demi Trowsdale, 24, has a degree in neuroscience and psychology. She has been unemployed for four months and estimates that she has sent off 170 applications online. Her aim is to work in healthcare but after being unsuccessful in applying for jobs in the sector, she has widened the pool of potential employment. It makes me feel less hopeful by the day, quite dehumanised. Mainly because of the lack of individual feedback that you get, it's usually a blanket statement saying: You've been unsuccessful,' Trowsdale said."

"Figures show that 713,000 young people are unemployed. As of early 2026, the rate among 16- to 24-year-olds is 15.8%, higher than the general unemployment rate of 4.9%. In London, youth unemployment rates are the highest in the country at 24.6%, with the north-east England second highest region at 23.5%, according to data from the Office for National Statistics."

"Although London is perceived as the employment hub of the country, the competitiveness of the job market has exiled young jobseekers with less work experience. Our insight shows that young people are motivated to work, but too often they are locked out of opportunities by a lack of accessible entry routes and employer expec"

Westfield White City hosts a large annual London job show where young people search for jobs rather than shopping. The event includes employers ranging from the Metropolitan police to car valet services. Unemployment has risen sharply, with young people experiencing the largest impact. Demi Trowsdale, 24, with degrees in neuroscience and psychology, has been unemployed for four months and submitted 170 online applications, aiming for healthcare work but expanding her search after repeated rejections. She describes the process as dehumanising due to lack of individual feedback, often receiving only blanket rejection messages. Statistics show 713,000 young people are unemployed, with a 15.8% rate among 16- to 24-year-olds, and London having the highest youth unemployment at 24.6%.

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