Jobs For 14-Year-Olds In The Uk – Are you a 14-year-old looking for a way to earn some extra cash and gain valuable work experience? Luckily, there are plenty of job opportunities available for young people in the UK. However, it’s important to understand the regulations surrounding employment for 14-year-olds before starting your job search.
In this article, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to know about finding the perfect job as a 14-year-old in the UK. From understanding your employment rights and the law to creating an impressive CV and gaining valuable skills and experience, we’ve got you covered.
So whether you’re looking for a local shop job or a paper round, read on to discover the best job opportunities for 14-year-olds and how to make the most of them.
Age Restrictions and Regulations
But before 14-year-olds can start looking for Saturday jobs, they need to understand the age restrictions and regulations that come with it.
UK law requires 14-year-olds to stay in school or training until age 18, but they’re allowed to work a maximum of 12 hours per week during term time and 25 hours per week during school holidays. However, there are certain restrictions on the type of work they can do and the hours they can work.
Children can’t work in factories or industrial sites, and they can’t work during school hours or before 7am or after 7pm. They’re also required to take a break of at least 1 hour after working for more than 4 hours.
Additionally, children can’t work in any job that may be harmful to their health, well-being, or education. To ensure compliance with these regulations, children need an employment permit from the education department of the local council.
It’s important for 14-year-olds to understand all of these regulations before they start looking for a job, so they can find opportunities that align with their interests and skills while also keeping within the bounds of the law.
Types of Jobs Available
There are a variety of opportunities for teens to gain work experience and valuable skills. For example, teens can work as virtual office assistants, completing administrative tasks for organizations. This job can teach skills such as time management, organization, and communication.
Another option is to work as a nanny or babysitter, which can provide experience in childcare and responsibility. Teens can also work as referees, learning how to enforce rules and regulations while gaining knowledge of the sport they are officiating.
Other jobs available for teens include tutoring, grocery bagging, house cleaning, yard work, ice cream scooping, lifeguarding, barista, cashier, car wash attendant, dog walker, dishwasher, and camp counselor. Each job offers unique experiences and skills that can be valuable for future employment opportunities.
It’s important for teens to explore their interests and skills to find the job that is right for them and to gain valuable work experience that can help them advance their careers in the future.
Working Hours and Breaks
To ensure that you’re abiding by employment law, it’s important for you to be aware of the specific working hours and break times that apply to your age group.
As a 14-year-old, you’re allowed to work a maximum of 12 hours per week during term time, with a limit of 2 hours on school days and Sundays and 5 hours on Saturdays.
During school holidays, you can work a maximum of 25 hours per week, with a limit of 5 hours on weekdays and Saturdays and 2 hours on Sundays.
It’s also important to note that you cannot work during school hours or before 7 am and after 7 pm.
In addition, you’re entitled to a 1-hour break after working for 4 hours. This means that if you’re working for a total of 4 hours or more, you must take a 1-hour break to rest and eat.
It’s important to make sure that you’re taking your breaks as mandated by law to avoid any potential legal issues. Remember, as a young worker, it’s important to understand all of your rights and responsibilities in the workplace to ensure that you’re safe and protected while gaining valuable work experience.
Employment Rights and Law
Understanding your rights and responsibilities as a young worker is essential for a safe and successful employment experience. As a 14-year-old in the UK, it’s important to know that you’re not entitled to employment rights and can’t work in certain places, such as factories, pubs, or betting shops. However, you can still work in various businesses that need extra help, such as local shops or paper rounds.
To ensure that you’re working within the law, it’s important to be aware of the restrictions on working hours and breaks. During term time, 14-year-olds can work a maximum of 12 hours per week, with a maximum of 2 hours on school days and Sundays and 5 hours on Saturdays. During school holidays, 14-year-olds can work a maximum of 25 hours per week, with a maximum of 5 hours on weekdays and Saturdays and 2 hours on Sundays.
It’s also illegal to work during school hours and before 7 am and after 7 pm, but some councils may allow exceptions. Finally, remember that you’re entitled to a 1-hour break for every 4 hours worked and a 2-week break from working and school is required once a year.
Finding Jobs For 14-Year-Olds
If you’re a 14-year-old looking for ways to earn extra money and gain valuable work experience, it’s important to be proactive in seeking out job opportunities that align with your interests and skills.
Start by looking for job vacancies in your local area, as it’s easier to find job opportunities locally rather than searching online. You can also ask family and friends if they know of any businesses that could use some extra help.
Consider the types of jobs that are available for 14-year-olds, such as sports coaching, babysitting, housesitting, dog walking, and paper rounds. You can also use your skills and interests to create your own opportunities, such as selling art online or creating a blog or vlog.
Remember to get permission from a parent or guardian before getting a job, and make sure to understand all of your rights as a worker before starting work.
By being proactive and creative, you can find a job that not only earns you some extra money but also helps you gain valuable experience for the future.
Popular jobs for 14 year olds
1. Nanny
Job responsibilities:
The roles of a nanny and a babysitter often overlap closely. Throughout the summer break, numerous parents may opt to enlist the services of nannies to tend to their children when their own work commitments leave them with limited time for child care.
Typical qualifications:
Essential qualifications include CPR training, proficiency in first aid, and a foundation in basic childcare techniques.
Average salary: £12.59 per hour
2. Babysitter
Responsibilities:
Being a childcare provider or babysitter is a popular occupation among teenagers. This role entails caring for and supervising someone else’s children for a designated period of time. Parents frequently seek the assistance of babysitters when they desire some alone time away from their kids, or when they need assistance due to work commitments. The flexibility of the job hours is advantageous for teenagers, as it provides them with additional time for other pursuits.
Typical qualifications:
Completion of first aid, CPR, and childcare training.
Average salary: £12.59 per hour
3. Cashier
Responsibilities:
In the role of a cashier, you have the opportunity to work in various settings such as retail shops, restaurants, or supermarkets. Your main responsibility as a cashier is to process payments for products or services, whether it be in the form of cash, credit cards, or checks. Additionally, you will issue receipts and refunds when necessary and ensure that the cash register drawer remains balanced by accurately counting the cash throughout your shift.
Essential qualifications:
To excel as a cashier, you should possess excellent customer service skills and effective communication abilities. It is crucial to have a knack for counting money and maintaining the balance of the cash register drawer. Furthermore, having stamina and the ability to sustain energy levels throughout your work shift is important.
Average salary: £9.59 per hour
4. Dog Walker
Responsibilities:
The position entails embarking on exciting adventures with dogs. While some dog walkers prefer accompanying one dog per outing, others may choose to take multiple dogs at once. As a dog walker, it is crucial to have a solid grasp of various dog breeds, as this will dictate the appropriate duration of the walks.
Typical qualifications:
Passion for dogs and physical endurance.
Average salary: £9.95 per hour
Creating a CV
You can showcase your skills and experience by crafting a polished CV using StudentJob’s free CV maker.
A CV, or curriculum vitae, is a document that summarizes your education, work experience, skills, and achievements. It’s an essential tool for job applications and can help you stand out from other candidates.
When creating your CV, start with a clear and concise objective statement that highlights your goals and aspirations. Include your education history, work experience (if any), skills, and achievements such as academic awards, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work. Use action verbs and specific examples to demonstrate your accomplishments.
Keep in mind that your CV should be tailored to the job you’re applying for, so make sure to highlight skills and experiences that are relevant to the position.
With StudentJob’s free CV maker, you can easily create a professional-looking CV that’ll impress potential employers.
Gaining Skills and Experience
Now that you’ve created a CV, it’s time to focus on gaining skills and experience.
Work experience is essential for exploring potential career paths, discovering interests, and building your CV. The program supported by Youth Friendly Employer Tesco offers an excellent opportunity for individuals aged 14-24 in the UK to gain work experience virtually through a series of videos and a digital workbook.
The videos and workbook complement each other, with the workbook including questions, quizzes, and activities to help you reflect on the video content. The workbook can be downloaded and saved with your answers, making it easy to revisit and track your progress.
The program is split into nine viewable segments for your convenience, and completing the workbook activities takes about an hour. This program aims to be a virtual guide to work experience, encouraging you to think about what you’ve learned from the videos and helping you digest the content.
By participating in this program, you’ll gain valuable skills and experience that will help you in future job opportunities.
