With GCSEs and A-Level results approaching, a new jobs challenge launches this week to help young people in London compete in the jobs market.

Last August and September, college and university leavers swelled the numbers on Jobseekers Allowance, as more then 41,000 18-24 year olds in London signed on, with 845 in Merton.

Breakdown by borough of young people joining the Jobseekers Allowance register in August and September 2009

Merton  845   
Ealing 1,565   
Hammersmith and Fulham 820   
Hounslow 1,220   
Wandsworth 1,040  
Camden 955    
City of London 5      
Hackney 1,595    
Haringey 1,630  
Islington 1,245  
Kensington and Chelsea 475    
Lambeth 1,760  
Lewisham 1,815  
Newham  1,840  
Southwark  1,585  
Tower Hamlets 1,820  
Westminster  675    
Barking and Dagenham 1,170  
Barnet 1,435  
Bexley 1,090  
Brent 1,595  
Bromley 1,215  
Croydon 1,860  
Enfield 1,755  
Greenwich 1,490  
Harrow 980    
Havering 1,150  
Hillingdon 1,230  
Kingston upon Thames 525       
Redbridge 1,660  
Richmond upon Thames 505    
Sutton 810    
Waltham Forest 1,650   

This year, young jobseekers are urged to get ahead of the crowd by following the 21 Day Challenge on The Student Room website – a series of tips, issued one per day for three weeks from Thursday August 19, given it takes 21 days to form a habit.

Isobel Morton of Jobcentre Plus in London said: "We know that it takes around 21 days for an activity to become a habit so school leavers can follow these tips to get it right from the start.  By doing something each day, jobseekers will be taking small achievable steps to their ultimate goal and maintain motivation in this tough market.”

Sports psychologist Rhonda Cohen is supporting the Challenge: "We know that self-belief and a ‘can do’ attitude is essential for success in whatever people choose to do, be it learning a skill or performing a job so we encourage school leavers to follow these tips and get these skills right from the start.  By doing something each day, jobseekers will be taking small achievable steps towards their ultimate goal."

The tips and advice cover everything from CV writing to preparing for interviews, using social media to find work and volunteering opportunities.

The Government is also setting up 50,000 new apprenticeships and creating the Work Programme, which will give young people flexible support to get them into work.

People can take part in the Challenge by following the 21 Days discussions groups on The Student Room website, from 19 August. The website address is www.thestudentroom.co.uk/21daychallenge.

August 17, 2010