Young Australians, aged 15-24 years, are struggling to find jobs. Their struggle is primarily due to a combination of factors, including a lack of skills, qualifications, and experience, which places them at a disadvantage in the competitive job market. As a result, the youth unemployment rate is consistently about five percentage points higher than the national average.
According to Jobs & Skills Australia (JSA),“the path to stable employment has become increasingly complex”. To better understand employer experiences and improve youth employment outcomes, JSA conducted targeted research focused specifically on employer experiences in hiring young workers. The findings shed light on some key areas that both jobseekers and employers can focus on to bridge the gap.
JSA discovered that the most important quality employers look for in young jobseekers is a positive attitude. Approximately 60% of businesses that had hired young workers stated that applicants’ attitude was the primary reason for their decision. This was far more influential than other factors, such as relevant experience (19%) and good communication skills (18%), which were also considered important but ranked lower.
The research also highlighted that certain industries attract a higher number of young applicants. Accommodation & food services led the way, with 75% of businesses reporting young jobseekers applying for roles in this sector. Health care & social assistance (70%) and retail trade (68%) followed closely behind.
When it comes to recruitment methods, employers primarily use internet job boards (37%), word of mouth (30%), and respond to direct approaches from jobseekers (19%). Understanding these trends can help young Australians better navigate the job market and increase their chances of securing employment.