1/3 of Europe's young jobless: a lesson and an opportunity

**Fanat** · May 29th, 2011, 11:05 AM

It has been in the news lately that throughout the countries of Europe the unemployment levels for young people (think 25ish and under) have been about 30% (40% in Spain, where protest are happening as this post is written because of this). It's being blamed in most part on the recession, but I think the real cause is that education that young people get is not in demand, and since they have no experience in working either, they're effectively useless to businesses.

So the lesson is the one we here have known for a while: being a good student and finishing school and then merrily looking for a job is worth squat, there are NO guaranties a secure living. This is a lesson many a Europe's young are hopefully learning right now.

The other problem is that when you have so much people with a) no income (so their livelihood is threatened) and b) a lot of free time on their hands, well, that's a recipe for social disorder at best, war at worst. So this needs to be solved as soon as possible.

Well, in my opinion, when you look at history, you notice that problems and situations as these have rarely been solved by governments, and usually by creative entrepreneurs, so my question to you all is: How can a business turn this problem into an opportunity? There are millions of young, inexperienced people in need of work. Because of high supply, they're a relatively cheap workforce, too. There are, as ever, needs on the marketplace. How would you put these two together?

**Runum** · May 29th, 2011, 11:46 AM

I think the problem is one of satisfaction. These young people have been told that no one loses, everyone is a winner. They get everything they want, video games, cell phone, big TV, top of the line shoes/clothes, etc. The education system will pass them if they will just show up and do something, anything. They have not been conditioned to work and fail. They have been conditioned to do minimal work and it's acceptable. There is no one single entity at fault here. The kids have been conditioned for failure and now they are crying because life is unfair. It's a tough lesson, should have been learned wayyyy earlier in life. Not everyone deserves a big LCD TV with all the bells and whistles. Not everyone deserves luxuries. Heck, not everyone even deserves a lambo. Not everyone deserves the job that they think they want.

http://www.thefastlaneforum.com/mind...ur-hunger.html

My 19 yo kid has been doing job interviews for two weeks now. She has turned down a few jobs. She just did a group interview yesterday. She was interviewed with 8 other applicants. She said a few had exposed tats and on girl had a face full of piercings. Most of them answered questions in one word answers with slurred speech. Several would not stand up straight and look the interviewer in the eye. The job is in retail sales. I tell her that if you can't sell yourself then you don't qualify to be a salesman.

Oh yeah, that night listening to GaryV did rub off on her. She was quoting his stuff back to me last night after the interview. Love it! Still not sure if she got the job though.

PS: I do like the way you phrased the questions at the end of your post.

Opportunity: practical life training, job training. Challenge: who pays for it?

**Runum** · May 29th, 2011, 12:00 PM

Another way of looking at this... find out what the employed young people, the 60-70% of the employed ones are doing and teach it to the unemployed. In other words, focus on what is working and replicate it.

**Fanat** · May 29th, 2011, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Runum

I think the problem is one of satisfaction... Not everyone deserves luxuries. Heck, not everyone even deserves a lambo. Not everyone deserves the job that they think they want.

I agree in full, and the phrase I like to describe this with is "unfounded sense of entitlement".

Originally Posted by Runum

Another way of looking at this... find out what the employed young people, the 60-70% of the employed ones are doing and teach it to the unemployed. In other words, focus on what is working and replicate it.

Good point, keep 'em coming

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