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This publication provides an analysis of youth labour market patterns in the UK during the last 25 years of the 20th century. Patterns of continuity and change are investigated in relation to obtaining employment, opportunities for training and promotion, reasons for trade union membership, decisions to leave jobs, and job-changing behaviour and its consequences. Issues of gender and race are considered throughout the analysis. The analysis focuses on panel data from a five-stage survey of a large cohort of early school-leavers undertaken in London between 1979 and 1981, a period when youth unemployment in the UK climbed to around 20%. The author argues that most young people are serious about work and careers, as demonstrated by their labour market patterns and their attitudes towards union membership. However, factors such as persisting unemployment, lack of labour market opportunities other than low-skill, 'dead-end' jobs, and the removal of unemployment benefits have resulted in the withdrawal of most young people from the labour market in favour of gaining qualifications. The publication concludes by proposing policies that could assist young people in light of the current youth labour market context.