North East women's job market 'in worst condition since pandemic', report shows
Employment charity Smart Works says the jobs market for North East women is in its worst condition since the end of the pandemic.
The latest annual Smart Works Unemployment Index has been published, showing the market deteriorated significantly throughout 2024, with survey respondents citing challenges such as overly demanding application processes, increased use of artificial intelligence in the recruitment process, and a highly competitive job market. The survey shines a line on the severe challenges women in the North East face as they navigate the employment market, with input from 258 women who are clients of Smart Works Newcastle telling how they applied for an average of 33 jobs last year without finding work.
The report shows 43% of those taking part in the survey were unemployed for more than a year and 25% felt over qualified for the roles they were interviewing for. In 2024, the charity’s clients also spent an average of 24 hours per week completing applications, compared to 23 hours in 2023. They said application processes had a detrimental effect on their confidence, with the majority reporting they felt less confident after experiencing the job application process, and over 58% women feeling their confidence had decreased significantly.
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The Unemployment Index highlights recommendations to improve recruitment practices, as well as collaboration between charities and organisations supporting unemployed women into work. The report also demonstrates how Smart Works Newcastle is helping women turn their lives around.
After using Smart Works Newcastle’s interview dressing and coaching service, 69% of those surveyed secured a job within a month of their interview and 97% of Smart Works clients said they feel more confident in their new interview outfit, with 95% feeling they can answer interview questions more effectively.
Sophie Milliken, chair of Smart Works Newcastle, said: “The Index makes bold recommendations, including greater transparency and compassion in recruitment, reimbursing travel costs for interviews, and introducing tighter regulations. It emphasizes the need for collaboration to support unemployed women.
“At Smart Works Newcastle, we witness these challenges firsthand every day. From our city centre base, we’ve supported nearly 3,000 women across the North East with dressing and coaching services—and in 2025, we’re aiming to help 1,000 more.”
The Unemployment Index included conversations with 4,912 unemployed women from across the UK as a whole. The Smart Works charity was founded in 2013 and its services are also delivered in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Reading and Leeds, while also offering virtual appointments to women outside of these areas. Since its launch Smart Works has supported over 35,000 women, with 2,300 of whom were supported by Newcastle.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “Charities like Smart Works play a crucial role in empowering women with the confidence and practical tools they need to secure work, make the most of their talents and change the lives of their families for the better. As a Government, we are working hard to drive up opportunity for women in every corner of the nation, through our landmark Get Britain Working plan. Smart Works has blazed a trail in changing people’s lives, and we look forward to continuing our work with them in the future.