Entrepreneurship is no longer a niche pursuit for young people

Entrepreneurship is no longer a niche career choice, but a mainstream route into work for a generation being written out of traditional employment, writes Steve Hare The government has rightly recognised that young people are finding it harder to get onto the first rung of the traditional career ladder, and have thrown around a number of measures to solve it. But they would do well to acknowledge that entrepreneurship is just as legitimate a route into the workplace, and it’s one young people are taking up by themselves. The Chancellor’s Autumn Budget did contain encouraging steps for young people hoping to start a business in England. The announcement of a Young Entrepreneurs Allowance will help cover living costs for young people in their first year of running a business, sending signals that this government is pro-entrepreneurial activity. But more could be done. Young people are not just in need of economic help, but would also benefit from mentoring with practical guidance