Amazon's UK boss, John Boumphrey, argues that young people are not to blame for unemployment. He stated the training system does not prepare them adequately for the job market. Boumphrey believes the issue lies with the educational framework.
Nearly one million young Britons aged 16-24 are not in education, employment, or training. Boumphrey says Amazon faces challenges recruiting workers with the needed skills. He proposed making work experience compulsory for all individuals over 16. This would help them learn essential employer-sought skills. The Amazon executive called it a "system problem" needing a "system response.".
The UK's overall unemployment rate rose slightly to 5% in the three months to March 2026. This is up from 4.9% in the previous period. Young people are disproportionately affected by job market challenges. Cuts in sectors like hospitality and fewer graduate schemes impact them most. In contrast, Amazon struggles to find enough skilled staff. The company employs 75,000 people across 100 UK sites. Half of these employees come directly from education or unemployment.
John Boumphrey, Amazon's country manager for the UK, addressed these issues. "I think too often you read about young people that somehow they lack motivation," he told the BBC. "That is not our experience," Boumphrey added. He highlighted Amazon's work with individuals furthest from employment. These individuals show "the biggest transformation" when given opportunities.
Boumphrey believes work experience is crucial. It teaches valuable skills not always covered in the curriculum. He cited teamwork and communication as examples. "If you get a T-level student, they come in for a week, they understand the value of teamwork, of communication and problem solving," he explained. He suggested businesses and local governments collaborate. This partnership should focus on identified skills gaps.
Amazon's experience with automation offers another insight. When robots were introduced into warehouses, job losses were feared. However, the company actually hired more people. New roles emerged like mechatronics engineers and technicians. "We can't find enough people to fill those roles," Boumphrey stated. This demonstrates a need for more specialized technical training.
Amazon has also faced scrutiny regarding its UK tax contributions. Critics claim its tax payments have not kept pace with sales growth, especially after the rise of online shopping. The company reported paying over GHS 5.8 billion last year. Boumphrey emphasized that Amazon's contribution extends beyond taxes. He highlighted the creation of 75,000 jobs as a significant economic benefit.