Since leaving college 18 months ago, Ashley Walder, 21, has had at least 70 job applications rejected. “I’ve lost count of exactly how many,” he said.

Mr Walder, from Manor Park in East London, did not have unreasonable expectations when he qualified in sports from Epping Forest College. “I thought, you find some work, get some income and find out what you want to do.”

But he found it impossible to get the retail and bar jobs he applied for. “You can’t do a job because you haven’t got experience and you can’t get experience because you haven’t got a job. People don’t want to spend the time training up young people. If you don’t have experience, they don’t care about qualifications. I’ve got A levels, GCSEs – they mean nothing.”

As the economy has worsened, so have his job prospects. “Hardly anyone’s advertising at the moment. A few weeks ago it started really drying up,” he says. “Now that all the Woolworths are closing it’s going to be even harder – everyone will be looking.”

With the economy shrinking and youth employment rising, Mr Walder says the competition can only intensify. “It’s going to be almost impossible for young people to find a job.”

Constant rejection has taken its mental toll. “My confidence level has gone down. It’s like I haven’t had the chance to do anything,” he says.

His social life is “limited” while he is out of work. “Because I’m on jobseeker’s [allowance], I can’t go out with friends, or do everyday things.” He also struggles to meet the costs of his council flat. “I’ve got £95 for two weeks’ rent, gas, electricity and then I have to buy food. There’s virtually nothing left over.”

Mr Walder has just finished a course with the Prince’s Trust, which helped to convince him that he wanted a career in the police. He has applied to become a Police Community Support Officer and is waiting to hear back. An application to the British Transport Police has already been turned down.

In the meantime, it is back to the job-hunting routine. “Every days I get on the bus, go to Ilford, hand out CVs and ask for jobs, then go to Romford and the other main areas.

“It is very tiring – I get home and just want to sit down. Looking for work is a full-time job.” Chris Smyth

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