🔥 Jobs & Apprenticeships for 16–21 Year Olds

Stop Walking. Start Working.

Done dropping CVs into shops that never call back? First Shift gets you in front of employers and apprenticeship providers who actually want to hire you. Jobs, apprenticeships, real pay. Your future starts now.

Live Updates Updated now
⚖️
Know Your Rights
Your employer must pay you for every hour worked — including training days and inductions
UK Employment Law · GOV.UK
💰
Money
Minimum wage from April 2026: 16–17 get £8.00/hr · 18–20 get £10.85/hr · 21+ get £12.71/hr
National Minimum Wage · GOV.UK
📱
Career Tip
Make your Instagram and TikTok private before you apply. Employers Google your name
First Shift Advice
🎓
Apprenticeships
UK apprenticeships are fully government-funded — you earn a wage and get a qualification. No tuition fees
Skills England · GOV.UK
⚖️
Know Your Rights
You're entitled to a payslip on or before every payday. No payslip = ask for one. It's the law
UK Employment Law · GOV.UK
✉️
Career Tip
Send a thank you email within 24 hours of an interview. Most candidates don't. You'll stand out
First Shift Advice
💰
Money
Most part-time workers under 21 won't pay income tax — you can earn up to £12,570 a year tax-free
HMRC · GOV.UK
⚖️
Know Your Rights
If you're under 18, you can't work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week. That's the law
UK Employment Law · GOV.UK
🕐
Career Tip
Arrive 5–10 minutes early to interviews. Not bang on time. Not 30 minutes early. 5–10
First Shift Advice
⚖️
Know Your Rights
On a zero-hours contract? After 26 weeks you can request guaranteed hours. Your employer must respond
Workers (Rights) Act · GOV.UK
📝
Career Tip
Babysitting, helping a family member's business, school prefect, sports captain — all CV gold
First Shift Advice
🎓
Apprenticeships
Level 2 apprenticeships take 12–18 months. Level 3 takes up to 2 years. Both come with a nationally recognised qualification
Institute for Apprenticeships
💰
Money
Check your tax code on your payslip. If it says 1257L you're on the standard code and paying the right amount
HMRC · GOV.UK
⚖️
Know Your Rights
You're entitled to 5.6 weeks paid holiday per year — even on a part-time or zero-hours contract
UK Employment Law · GOV.UK
💬
Career Tip
"Tell me about yourself" doesn't mean your whole life story. Keep it to 60 seconds. Practise it out loud
First Shift Advice
🎓
Apprenticeships
You can do an apprenticeship at any age from 16 upwards — there's no upper age limit in England
Skills England · GOV.UK
🧾
Career Tip
Always have two references lined up before you apply. A teacher, coach or youth worker counts
First Shift Advice
⚖️
Know Your Rights
An employer cannot pay you less than minimum wage during a probation period. Not legal. Not ever
UK Employment Law · GOV.UK
💰
Money
Open a bank account before you start work — you'll need one to get paid. Most high street banks do free under-25 accounts
First Shift Advice
👔
Career Tip
Not sure what to wear? Smart-casual beats scruffy every time. When in doubt, overdress slightly
First Shift Advice
⚖️
Know Your Rights
If you're under 18 and work more than 4.5 hours, you're legally entitled to a 30-minute rest break
UK Employment Law · GOV.UK
🎓
Apprenticeships
Apprentices spend at least 6 hours per week doing off-the-job training — that time is still paid
Institute for Apprenticeships
📋
Career Tip
Research the company before your interview. Check their Instagram, Google them. One fact = big impression
First Shift Advice
💰
Money
Statutory Sick Pay is £116.75/week if you've been off sick 4+ days and earn over £123/week
HMRC · GOV.UK
🚀
First Shift
First Shift is the UK's only job platform built exclusively for 16–21 year olds. And it's free. Always
First Shift HQ · myfirstshift.co.uk
⚖️
Know Your Rights
Your employer must pay you for every hour worked — including training days and inductions
UK Employment Law · GOV.UK
💰
Money
Minimum wage from April 2026: 16–17 get £8.00/hr · 18–20 get £10.85/hr · 21+ get £12.71/hr
National Minimum Wage · GOV.UK
📱
Career Tip
Make your Instagram and TikTok private before you apply. Employers Google your name
First Shift Advice
🎓
Apprenticeships
UK apprenticeships are fully government-funded — you earn a wage and get a qualification. No tuition fees
Skills England · GOV.UK
⚖️
Know Your Rights
You're entitled to a payslip on or before every payday. No payslip = ask for one. It's the law
UK Employment Law · GOV.UK
✉️
Career Tip
Send a thank you email within 24 hours of an interview. Most candidates don't. You'll stand out
First Shift Advice
💰
Money
Most part-time workers under 21 won't pay income tax — you can earn up to £12,570 a year tax-free
HMRC · GOV.UK
⚖️
Know Your Rights
If you're under 18, you can't work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week. That's the law
UK Employment Law · GOV.UK
🕐
Career Tip
Arrive 5–10 minutes early to interviews. Not bang on time. Not 30 minutes early. 5–10
First Shift Advice
⚖️
Know Your Rights
On a zero-hours contract? After 26 weeks you can request guaranteed hours. Your employer must respond
Workers (Rights) Act · GOV.UK
📝
Career Tip
Babysitting, helping a family member's business, school prefect, sports captain — all CV gold
First Shift Advice
🎓
Apprenticeships
Level 2 apprenticeships take 12–18 months. Level 3 takes up to 2 years. Both come with a nationally recognised qualification
Institute for Apprenticeships
💰
Money
Check your tax code on your payslip. If it says 1257L you're on the standard code and paying the right amount
HMRC · GOV.UK
⚖️
Know Your Rights
You're entitled to 5.6 weeks paid holiday per year — even on a part-time or zero-hours contract
UK Employment Law · GOV.UK
💬
Career Tip
"Tell me about yourself" doesn't mean your whole life story. Keep it to 60 seconds. Practise it out loud
First Shift Advice
🎓
Apprenticeships
You can do an apprenticeship at any age from 16 upwards — there's no upper age limit in England
Skills England · GOV.UK
🧾
Career Tip
Always have two references lined up before you apply. A teacher, coach or youth worker counts
First Shift Advice
⚖️
Know Your Rights
An employer cannot pay you less than minimum wage during a probation period. Not legal. Not ever
UK Employment Law · GOV.UK
💰
Money
Open a bank account before you start work — you'll need one to get paid. Most high street banks do free under-25 accounts
First Shift Advice
👔
Career Tip
Not sure what to wear? Smart-casual beats scruffy every time. When in doubt, overdress slightly
First Shift Advice
⚖️
Know Your Rights
If you're under 18 and work more than 4.5 hours, you're legally entitled to a 30-minute rest break
UK Employment Law · GOV.UK
🎓
Apprenticeships
Apprentices spend at least 6 hours per week doing off-the-job training — that time is still paid
Institute for Apprenticeships
📋
Career Tip
Research the company before your interview. Check their Instagram, Google them. One fact = big impression
First Shift Advice
💰
Money
Statutory Sick Pay is £116.75/week if you've been off sick 4+ days and earn over £123/week
HMRC · GOV.UK
🚀
First Shift
First Shift is the UK's only job platform built exclusively for 16–21 year olds. And it's free. Always
First Shift HQ · myfirstshift.co.uk
16–21
Built only for you
£0
Cost to you. Always.
5 min
To build your CV
0
Experience needed

🕐 Six steps. Zero faff.

How First Shift Works

1

Sign Up Free →

Two minutes. No CV needed. No card. Just you and your ambition.

2

Build a Proper CV →

Our CV Builder is made for people with zero work history. Hobbies count. School counts. You count.

3

Find Jobs Near You

Every listing on First Shift is open to under-21s. Filter by what matters to you.

4

One Tap to Apply

Send your profile straight to the employer. No long forms. No login loops. Done.

5

Get Career-Ready

Interview nerves? No idea what to wear? Our guides have you covered.

6

Land the Job.

Track your applications, get employer messages, and celebrate your first offer. You showed up. You earned it.

🔥 Example roles — the types of jobs First Shift will list

Hot Jobs Right Now

Because the old sites were built for adults with CVs. You're 16.

Why First Shift Hits Different

🚫

No "2 Years Experience"

Every job on First Shift is open to people who've never had a job. That's the whole point.

📄

CV Builder. 5 Minutes.

School clubs. Babysitting. Helping out at home. That all goes on your CV. We'll show you how.

📍

Jobs You Can Walk To

Filter by your postcode. No point applying for a job that takes three buses to get to.

💜

Free. Full Stop.

We charge employers. Not you. Every tool, every job, every piece of advice — free.

Real people. Real first jobs.

Success Stories

We're just getting started — and we want YOUR story to be one of the first. Got your first job? Tell us about it.

🌟
YOUR STORY HERE

Got your first job? We want to hear about it and share it with the next person who needs the push.

💪
BE OUR FIRST

First Shift is launching now. Sign up, land a job, and become the face of what this platform can do.

🚀
EVERY JOURNEY STARTS HERE

No experience. No connections. No problem. First Shift is where your story begins.

Fresh from the First Shift team

What's Happening

🚀
Launch Update

First Shift is launching — get on the early access list

We're building the UK's only job platform made specifically for 16–21 year olds. Sign up now and be first through the door when we go live.

July 2026 Sign Up →
💼
For Employers

We're signing our first employer partners — post free today

Be one of our founding employers. Post your first role free, reach motivated 16–21 year olds in your area, and help shape what First Shift becomes.

July 2026 Learn More →
💡
Know Your Rights

New 2026 minimum wage rates — what young workers need to know

Wage rates changed in April 2026. If you're under 18 you're entitled to £8.00/hr. Here's what every young worker needs to know about their rights.

April 2026 Read More →

Be the first to know

New jobs, career tips, and platform updates — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Follow the Journey 📱

We're documenting every step of building First Shift. Come and be part of it.

🕐 Every role open to under-21s — no experience needed

Find Your First Shift

ℹ️
These are example listings. First Shift is currently launching. The roles below show the kinds of jobs we'll list — all companies shown are fictional placeholders. Sign up to be notified when real listings go live.

New shifts, straight to your inbox

Be the first to hear when new roles drop in your area. Free, always.

No work history? Good. That's what we're here for.

Build Your CV

⚡ Employers spend 6 seconds scanning a CV. Make yours count.

No job yet? That's fine. School, hobbies, volunteering, babysitting — all of it belongs on here. Our builder walks you through it step by step.

6s
Employer scan time
5
Easy steps
10m
To finish
💡 Use a proper email. firstname.lastname@gmail.com is fine. 'xXcoolkid99Xx' is not.
💡 You don't need experience. Say why you're reliable, keen and a quick learner. That's what employers at this level actually want.
💡 Predicted grades are fine. Include them. An employer seeing "GCSE Maths (predicted 6)" knows you're on track — that's worth something.
💡 Sport. Art. Babysitting. Running a school club. Growing an Instagram. All of that is a skill. Write it down.
💡 No paid job? That's fine. Volunteering, helping at events, a paper round, looking after animals, helping in the family business — all counts.

Your Name

your.email@gmail.com • 07700 000000 • Your City
Personal Statement
Your personal statement will appear here…
Education
Your education will appear here…
Skills
Your skills will appear here…
Hobbies & Interests
Your hobbies will appear here…
Experience
Your experience will appear here…

Now let's find you a job

Sign up and we'll alert you the moment a role matches your skills and location.

Real talk. No fluff.

Career Advice

⚡ Quick Fire Tips

📧Use a proper email. sophie.johnson@gmail.com — not xXsoph99Xx.
👀Eye contact in interviews — not staring, just present. It signals confidence.
💸Under 18? Your minimum is £8.00/hr from April 2026. Don't accept less.
📱Check your social media. Employers Google you. Keep public posts clean.
⏰Arrive 10 minutes early. Literally every time. It matters more than you think.
🏅School captain, team sport, school play — all counts as experience. Write it down.

All Guides

Career tips in your inbox

Weekly advice written for 16–21 year olds starting out. Real talk, no fluff.

Find Young People Ready for Their First Shift 💪

Post your vacancy to motivated 16–21 year olds — eager, available and ready to prove themselves.

Why smart employers use First Shift

Built for Employers

🎯

Laser-Targeted

Every person who sees your job is 16–21, local, and actively looking. No noise. No wasted clicks.

🕐

Live in 5 Minutes

Post a job faster than you'd write a handwritten notice for the window. Seriously.

💰

Start Free

One free listing, no card required. Pay only when you want more reach.

📱

Mobile-First Applicants

Your candidates are on their phones. So is First Shift. Fast responses, high engagement.

Simple pricing. No surprises.

Employer Pricing

Starter
£0
per month — forever
  • 1 active job posting
  • Standard listing
  • CV access for applicants
  • Email notifications
Growth
£29
per month
  • 5 active job postings
  • Boosted visibility
  • Full CV access & search
  • Priority in search results
  • Application dashboard
Pro
£79
per month
  • Unlimited job postings
  • Featured employer badge
  • Proactive candidate matching
  • Analytics & reporting
  • Dedicated account manager
  • GIGI integration (when live)

Under 5 minutes. Seriously.

Post a Job Now

Job Details

🎓 Apprenticeship Providers

Recruit apprentices who are actually ready to commit.

First Shift isn't just a job board — it's where motivated 16–21 year olds come when they're serious about their future. That makes it the right place to find your next apprentice.

  • ✓Level 2, 3 & higher — post any framework or standard
  • ✓Government-funded roles welcome — label them clearly, reach motivated candidates
  • ✓Dedicated Apprenticeships filter — your listings appear separately, not buried in part-time jobs
  • ✓Career advice integration — we educate young people about apprenticeships so they arrive knowing what to expect
£0
to post your first apprenticeship
16–21
every candidate — no noise
<5m
to post and go live

🔗 GIGI Integration — Coming to Pro

Pro employers will be able to sync First Shift listings directly with GIGI — the free recruitment app — for maximum reach among young job seekers.

✦ PRO PLAN FEATURE — COMING SOON

Get employer updates from us

Be the first to know about new features, pricing, and access to our growing pool of motivated 16–21 year olds.

👋 Our Story

Built by us. For you.

First Shift started with one simple question: why is it so hard to get your first job? We decided to fix it.

How it started

The Problem We Saw

Every year, hundreds of thousands of 16–21 year olds in the UK try to get their first job. They walk the high street. They hand in CVs to shops that never call back. They apply on Indeed and get filtered out because they don't have two years of experience.

The existing job platforms weren't built for them. They were built for adults with work histories, professional CVs, and years of experience to filter on.

First Shift is the platform that should have always existed. Built from the ground up for young people taking their first step.

The team behind it

Meet the Founders

Sophia

Sophia

Co-Founder

Sophia co-founded First Shift because she lived the problem firsthand. She shapes the product, drives the brand, and makes sure everything we build actually works for the people it's meant for.

Abi

Abi

Co-Founder

Abi brings the business side — strategy, operations, employer relationships and making sure the whole thing actually works. She's been there for every young person who struggled to get a foot in the door, and built First Shift to change that.

Our Mission

"Every young person in the UK deserves a fair shot at their first job — regardless of background, experience, or who they know. First Shift exists to make that happen."

Stay in the loop

Follow our progress and be first to know when we go live with new features and jobs.

Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 2026

1. Who We Are

First Shift is a UK-based recruitment platform exclusively for 16–21 year olds. We operate the website at myfirstshift.co.uk. We are in the process of registering as a UK Limited Company (Companies House registration in progress).

Correspondence address: 71–75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ
Email: hello@myfirstshift.co.uk

2. What Data We Collect

Job seekers: First name, last name, email address, password (encrypted — we never see it), age, and town/city.

Employers: Company name, contact name, email address, password (encrypted), and company size.

Job applications: When you apply for a role, we record which job you applied for and when.

Technical data: Our hosting provider (Netlify) may collect standard server logs including IP addresses and browser information. We do not use tracking cookies or advertising technology.

3. Why We Use Your Data

We use your information to provide and improve the First Shift service — specifically: creating and managing your account, connecting job seekers with employers, and communicating with you about your account or applications.

Our legal basis for processing is contract performance (providing the service you signed up for) and legitimate interests (running a safe and functional platform).

4. Who We Share Data With

We do not sell your data. We share it only with the third-party services that power the platform:

Supabase — our database and authentication provider. Data is stored in an EU data centre (London, AWS eu-west-2). Supabase is GDPR compliant.

Netlify — our website host. Netlify processes standard server logs. Netlify is GDPR compliant.

5. How Long We Keep Your Data

We keep your account data for as long as your account is active. If you ask us to delete your account, we will remove your personal data within 30 days. Some data may be retained for legal compliance purposes.

6. Young People

Our platform is designed for 16–21 year olds. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 16. If you believe a child under 16 has registered, please contact us at hello@myfirstshift.co.uk and we will delete the account promptly.

7. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the right to:

— Access the personal data we hold about you

— Correct inaccurate data

— Delete your account and associated data

— Object to how we use your data

— Portability — receive your data in a portable format

To exercise any of these rights, email us at hello@myfirstshift.co.uk. We will respond within 30 days.

8. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we handle your data, you have the right to complain to the UK's data protection regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), at ico.org.uk. We are in the process of registering with the ICO.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy as the business grows. Any significant changes will be communicated to registered users by email. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Questions? Email us at hello@myfirstshift.co.uk

Read more →
✅Done!