The latest ONS figures, external show there are 702,000 people aged 16 to 24 who are unemployed, 60,000 more than the previous year.
Among them is Saif Miah, 23, from west London, who says he has applied for hospitality jobs every day since summer with no luck.
“If you’re lucky you’ll get a response saying you’ve not got the job. Other times you don’t even get a response. It feels very demeaning because you’re in a cycle and it really demotivates you perpetually.
“You’re so used to rejection that you feel you’re not good enough and get imposter syndrome.”
He’s now taking part in a government-backed programme, external at the Hospitality Skills Academy at Capital City College in central London for jobseekers aged 16 and over.
Mr Miah is hoping for a job at the end of the course, which offers a three-day work placement.
Vince Kelly, manager at the academy, says the courses help to plug “large skills gaps” in hospitality.
“There are lots of different sections to the industry. High end, five-star hotels, corporate catering. Hospitals, schools, care homes looking to recruit catering assistants. We’re working on confidence and role play.”