According to a report by the World Economic Forum, research indicates that 4 out of 10 young people do not have the skills, qualifications or experience to enter the job market or start a business.
The report adds that the mismatch between the skills that workplaces need and the skills that are actually being developed is well known, especially as the work landscape continues to change rapidly.
The World Economic Forum estimates that nearly half of these “core skills” are expected to change in the next five years.
The biggest gap, he explains, is in digital skills.
A parallel study by Dell Technologies found that only 44 percent of young people had received only “very basic” digital skills, while 12 percent had received no training at all.
Three out of ten young people suffer from poor social and economic conditions in their countries, and the same percentage does not receive adequate support to help them find work or start businesses.
According to the report, youth work and well-being continue to be affected by four factors: COVID-19, conflict, climate change, and the cost of living.
Research clearly shows that current programmes and approaches to addressing the challenge of youth unemployment are fragmented: they do not meet the needs of young people and limit their ability to realise their potential.
Perhaps most importantly, this suggests that young people are looking to do “meaningful work.”
This work includes enriching and empowering work experiences and guarantees that enhance their skills and prospects while allowing them to contribute to a sense of purpose and impact on society.
So, where do we go from here to address the challenges of employment, joblessness and youth unemployment?
According to the report, meaningful work is “work that is fair and fulfilling, and that positively impacts the growth and well-being of young people and their communities,” and respondents to the Forum’s survey told what this work looks like in practice, which extracted 12 criteria for meaningful work to share with International Labour Organization and other global partners.
Characteristics of decent work
The report adds: The magic ingredients of decent work are that it must be healthy, rewarding, ethical, protective, inclusive, growth-enhancing, shared, balanced, productive, sustainable, meaningful, and connected.
According to the report:
- Everyone has a role to play, starting with governments who can use these standards to align their efforts and allow young people to have a voice in decisions that affect their future.
- Employers can use it for recruitment, employee confidence, motivation, employee retention, and training and development.
- Young people themselves can use the criteria to help them navigate their careers.
- The struggle of millions of young people to work not only affects their well-being, but also hinders future economic growth.
Meaningful work includes not only fair pay and benefits, but also a sense of purpose, opportunities for growth, and a healthy work-life balance. It aims to benefit both employees and employers.
“Skills” is the main criterion
For her part, economic expert Hanan Ramses pointed out that at the beginning of his professional life, a young man may find himself unable to impose his conditions, and must accept the work in the place and salary specified for him.
But she explained that the situation is different if the person has outstanding talent and skill, then he can negotiate a higher salary and work in a company that gives people with ideas the opportunity to participate effectively in the team.
She added, speaking to Sky News Arabia Economy: Work environments differ between companies that give young people the opportunity to showcase their skills, and other traditional companies that may not provide these opportunities, in addition to companies that aim to develop the latent talents of young people through restructuring plans that rely on the human resources department to discover personal skills and direct them according to the company’s needs.
Ramses explained that if a young person lacks clear skills, he may be forced to accept a certain job due to economic circumstances or lack of family support.
But she pointed out that gaining experience in this context may enable a person to move later to another place where he can achieve his ambitions.
Regarding the work environment, the economic expert stressed the importance of the work environment being free of rumors, and that the young person should adhere to deadlines and maintain a proper professional appearance. She pointed out that some modern companies may go beyond the issue of strict adherence to deadlines and place greater emphasis on completing tasks.
She also stressed the importance of obtaining training courses, especially for those working in fields other than their specializations, explaining that feeling comfortable in the workplace is a crucial element for continuity. She concluded that the continuous pursuit of a better workplace with a higher salary is essential.
Ramses concluded her statement by pointing out that the current economic crisis has pushed young people to focus on the financial aspect first, followed by psychological comfort. She stressed the importance of good social relations in the work environment, reducing stress, and the necessity of a reasonable salary to achieve a balance between work and life.
Key factors
For his part, economic expert Yassin Ahmed stated that the beginning of the professional life of any young person or job seeker should focus on a set of basic factors that contribute to building a sustainable professional environment.
- The first of these factors is a positive work environment. The work environment should encourage cooperation, open communication and support, as these elements are essential to building an ideal professional environment.
- Company culture should support team spirit and seek to avoid internal conflicts and struggles, which will raise employee satisfaction and morale.
- In terms of job stability and security, it is essential that the company provides a stable and secure working environment.
He advised looking for companies with financial stability and a strong record of employee retention, which increases job security and reduces the risk of layoffs.
In a related context, Ahmed stressed the importance of negotiating a salary that suits the first level in the field, while ensuring that there are prospects for a gradual increase in salary based on performance and professional progress, adding that obtaining a competitive salary is a crucial element in achieving employee satisfaction and continuity in work.
Regarding work-life balance, he pointed out that working hours should be flexible and reasonable so as not to negatively impact mental and physical health. He stressed that working in an environment that encourages a balance between professional and personal life is an essential feature for any successful job.
He also explained that training and development opportunities are key factors that employees should look for at the beginning of their careers. He explained that companies that provide internal training courses or external opportunities to expand skills and knowledge provide employees with greater opportunities for promotion and career growth.
Regarding flexibility in appointments, Ahmed pointed out the importance of considering remote or hybrid work opportunities, as the diversity between office and home work contributes to reducing boredom and enhancing productivity.
He concluded his speech by stressing the need for young people to ensure that the company they work for provides appropriate health and social insurance, as it is an essential element in protecting their health and professional future.
