50 years ago, jobs were simpler: there was a traditional nine till five working life, and many roles were based on physical labor. As technology, education, and behaviors have developed, the demands of today’s new workers are much more complex and varied. Young people’s understanding of their employment rights, and the ease of access to many jobs is quickly changing how companies need to design their recruitment packages, and company offerings, to attract the best talent. Simply being paid a basic wage is no longer enough for many young people. Here is an overview of what young people want and expect from the world of work these days.
Manual labor does not appeal
As education has become more easily available over recent decades, and more people are encouraged to choose to continue their education to an elevated level, there are fewer students entering into manual labor jobs. There is a cultural perception that describes manual jobs as working class and therefore they are seen as being less prestigious and desirable. As education continues to follow this example, and more young people continue to lead a lifestyle based around online technology, it does not look like this will be changing any time soon. This has huge impacts on certain industries that require manual labor, though, and many highly paid vacancies can be left unfilled. Some of the biggest industries that are suffering from a lack of interest in employment are construction, healthcare, and personal care. These also happen to be some of the most essential industries to the wellbeing of the overall population. There is a definite concern that the young people of today are all striving for the same middle- or senior-management roles, meaning the essential work that is carried out at the lower level of a company is being left with a void.
Beating automation by specialisms
Linking to a drop in manual labor work, there are also many organizations that are filling this void using machine automation, instead of employees. Between 2017 and 2018 data shows that were huge declines in roles such as typists, clerks, and secretaries due to the introduction of technological innovations. As young people recognize this ongoing trend, there are becoming an increasing number of positions that are specialists to certain subjects or fields to make the person more valuable as an employee. Many roles are being given niches to create an expert position; for example, the person who is a software developer has a completely different role to the web developer. There are educational courses leading to these silos as well. For example, you can have an ADN to NP (nurse practitioner) but you are not necessarily going to be just a regular nurse; you can be a family nurse, or a mental health nurse, or work within many other specialisms within the field. Many young people understand that there is a demand for highly skilled, highly educated workers and are demanding a role that allows them to carve out their own niche, and are looking to move from the bottom of the workforce quickly as those jobs are rapidly replaced by robotics. There may also be more demand in the workforce for emotional skills, and creativity, which automation is unable to provide.
Conscious workers
Research is showing consistently that the young people of today are very aware of their impact on the environment and other social issues. This very well-educated and conscientious generation are frequently making choices within their lives that reflect positive global impacts. This is also the case in their day-to-day lives in terms of shopping, consumption, and travel, and it is also having an impact on their education and career choices. More students are now choosing to enter companies that are socially and environmentally responsible and are discouraged in working for organizations that have no ethical considerations over their wider impact.
Through longer education, easier access to information from around the world, and activist examples such Greta Thunberg, there are more young people than ever before who are collaborating and campaigning for greener job prospects. Organizations such as Decent Jobs for Youth are coupling the demand of young people for better sustainable practices, policies, and roles, with the overall need to fill an employment gap in young people, especially in developing countries.
Recognition and equality
Fitting naturally with a demand for more sustainably responsible practices, young people are also more expectant of equal recognition and opportunities across different races, sexes, ages, abilities, and other personal characteristics. The youth of this decade are very aware of their legal rights and are also very in touch with their global community—thanks to growing up in the age of the internet. Young people are quick to oppose unfair practices, to form unions, and to speak out against unethical company behavior. It is especially easy to hold companies to account now because of easy access to social media and internet-based PR channels. Diversity is high on the agenda for aspiring young workers, and those companies that fail to meet expected goals on the gender and age gap issues are likely to be less desirable to young talent.
Flexible workers
Finally, the young workers entering working life these days are less motivated by financial gains, but more by a happy and healthy work life balance. Young people are recognizing the importance of enjoying their daily lives and being able to have a healthy mix of time at work and time for self-care and relationships. Following the pandemic, many companies have become more agreeable with this ideal, and have changed their working practices. For example, remote working is extremely popular now, as well as flexible hours. Many companies are taking it further to meet this happy lifestyle need, by having flexibility in dress codes, pets, childcare, and volunteering. Some are even recognizing how the enjoyment of leisure activities and virtual technology can play a role in the working environment.
Overall, the upcoming generation of workers are bound to be demanding higher standards from their employers in terms of job benefits, satisfaction, and ethical policies and processes. This well-educated age will not be easily held back or kept from opportunities to develop themselves personally and within their career, wherever possible.
