Employers Dissatisfied with Younger Workers - Survey

Only one third of employers who take on teenagers are satisfied with the result, citing unreliability, immaturity and lack of long-term commitment as the key reasons for their negative experiences, according to a national Not for Profit survey.

Conducted by Mission Australia, the survey also found that employers around the country also cite a lack of driver’s licence or personal vehicle as reasons not take on young job seekers.

It found that just 56% of respondents currently employing staff aged 15-19 years old.

Mission Australia says it surveyed the views and concerns of almost 200 employers from small, medium and large businesses who had engaged Mission Australia for assistance in filling job vacancies last year.

The survey also revealed that a willingness to learn and “mould-ability” are seen as key advantages of employing young people, but a perceived lack of qualifications and poor reliability are turning many employers off.

Mission Australia Employment Solutions executive leader Dr Prins Ralston said that the survey results demonstrate the disconnect that exists in transitioning young people from school to further education, training and employment.

“With one-quarter of older teenagers (18-19 year olds) not in full-time study or work and 13% of all 15-19 years olds seeking work – we need to take a long, hard look at the barriers to youth employment and how we can overcome them,” Dr Ralston said.

“While around 60% of employers recognised the benefits in employing younger staff who could be moulded to the needs of their business and were willing to learn on the job, many were concerned that young people they’d taken on had proven to be unreliable and immature.

“These negative experiences have clearly coloured their attitude toward teenage job seekers.

“In order to change these attitudes, we need to make it more attractive for employers to take on young people, by ensuring we provide the preparation and support needed for them to succeed in the workplace.”

Other key findings include:

• The main methods used for employing young people were via local employment service providers and advertising online.
• 29% of businesses took on young people who were children of existing employees, colleagues and friends.
• 66% of businesses planning to recruit new staff before June this year said they would be likely to employ young people.
• Among those looking to take on young people this year, most were likely to offer them casual positions.

Mission Australia has called for the reforms to help young Australians make a more successful transition into the workforce including more intensive, youth-focussed assistance in the employment service system to ensure their needs are met early and job outcomes improve.

“We need to make sure these opportunities provide long-lasting employment that is positive for both the employees and the businesses taking them on,” Dr Ralston said.

“We need to work together to address these challenges if we’re going to ensure all young Australians have the best opportunity to start their working life.”