'My first job made me question if I was too stupid to work'

Georgia Sweeney, a 17-year-old diagnosed with dyslexia, began college but dropped out due to mental health challenges. She later secured a six-month apprenticeship at an insolvency firm’s office, but her experience deteriorated after a few months. Employers expected her to match the performance of her predecessor, a 27-year-old university apprentice with accounting qualifications, leaving her overwhelmed by tasks she didn’t understand. Training was brief, and she felt unsupported, particularly as a carer, worsening her mental health until she quit after two weeks’ notice. During her final shift, managers accused her of a mistake that could have cost the company ‘millions of pounds,’ culminating in a confrontational meeting. The ultimatum—work her notice or leave—pushed her to walk out, devastating her confidence. ‘I felt like I was too stupid to work,’ she said, describing a spiral into self-doubt and a prolonged period out of education or employment. Sweeney’s experience reflects broader trends: Health Equals research reveals that young people from the UK’s poorest households are over three times more likely to be NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training). Among 16-24-year-olds classified as NEET, 60% now have likely mental health conditions, double the 30% recorded in 2009-10. The data underscores systemic barriers, including workplace inflexibility and lack of support for neurodivergent or disadvantaged young people. Sweeney now advocates for others facing similar struggles, emphasizing the need for tailored workplace accommodations and mental health resources. Her story highlights how early career setbacks, compounded by systemic inequalities, can derail young adults’ trajectories. Experts warn that without intervention, the rise in NEET youth—especially those with mental health challenges—will deepen social and economic disparities. The UK government and employers face growing pressure to address the crisis, with calls for better apprenticeship training, mental health screening, and policies to reduce NEET rates. Sweeney’s journey underscores the urgency: ‘I didn’t fail; the system failed me,’ she says, now helping others navigate similar crises.