Latest news with #TheStateofGlobalTeenageCareerPreparation
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
What comes after school? A global study reveals why 39% of teens are unsure about their career paths
A growing number of teenagers across the globe are heading toward the end of secondary school without a clear sense of direction. According to The State of Global Teenage Career Preparation (2025) , a comprehensive study released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 39 percent of 15-year-olds are unclear about their career expectations. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Drawing on data from the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which surveyed nearly 700,000 students in 81 countries, the report presents a sobering view of how unprepared many teenagers are for life beyond the classroom. Career uncertainty is not just a temporary phase: it is closely linked with poor outcomes in adulthood, including reduced employment opportunities, lower earnings, and higher risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). A snapshot of teenage career readiness While the level of preparation varies widely across countries, the OECD report makes it clear that on average, too many students are poorly equipped for their next steps. By age 15: 39 percent of students are unclear about their career expectations 21 percent are 'misaligned' in their career thinking—they expect to enter jobs that typically require a university degree, yet do not plan to pursue tertiary education 33 percent of students do not agree that school has taught them things that could be useful in a job These findings point to a widespread disconnect between education systems and labour market realities. The report warns that without early, structured guidance, many students risk making decisions based on incomplete or misleading information. Why teens are not clear about their careers One of the key reasons for rising career uncertainty among teenagers is their limited exposure to the world of work. According to the OECD report, most students have not participated in the kinds of real-world activities that help build career clarity and direction. By the age of 15: Only 35 percent of students had attended a job fair Just 45 percent had experienced a workplace visit or job shadowing Such activities, whether it's a job fair, an internship, a career talk, or mentorship, can help students explore a range of professions, understand what different jobs actually involve, and begin to form realistic career goals. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These experiences are especially valuable for helping students connect their academic learning to practical outcomes. However, the report shows that access to these opportunities is far from universal. Participation is particularly low among students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who often lack the networks, guidance, or institutional support needed to engage with employers or industry professionals. As a result, many teenagers are left to make important life decisions without the insight or experience that could help them make informed choices. Ambition shaped more by background than ability The OECD study also highlights the role of social inequality in shaping students' career paths. Across the participating countries, a student's socio-economic background is a stronger predictor of educational ambition than academic performance. High-achieving students from low-income families are significantly less likely to expect to complete tertiary education than lower-performing peers from more affluent homes. This creates what the report describes as a "misalignment" between career goals and the educational plans needed to achieve them. It also means that many bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds are underestimating their potential simply because they lack guidance and role models. Too much information, not enough guidance Despite having access to vast amounts of online career information, students are not necessarily making more informed decisions. In fact, the report suggests that information overload without context can leave students more confused. Many end up choosing familiar, high-status careers like medicine, law, or engineering, regardless of actual labour market trends or their own qualifications. Over 50 percent of students, according to the OECD, concentrate their career aspirations in just ten professions, even in countries where those fields are already saturated. Meanwhile, growing sectors such as vocational trades, digital technology, healthcare support, and logistics remain largely overlooked. What needs to change The findings of the OECD report offer a clear call to action. Schools, policymakers, and employers all have a role to play in helping students prepare for their futures in a more informed and equitable way. Key recommendations include: Starting career guidance early, ideally in middle school, before students have locked in major academic decisions Providing regular, meaningful exposure to the world of work, through job shadowing, workplace visits, internships, and industry-led talks Strengthening the role of teachers and school counselors, with more training and tools to support students in making career-related decisions Creating stronger links between schools and employers, to bridge the gap between education and real-world opportunities Improving access to structured, easy-to-navigate digital resources, supported by personalised conversations and mentorship A wake-up call for education systems Teenagers today are more ambitious than ever, but without the right tools, those ambitions can remain out of reach. The OECD's State of Global Teenage Career Preparation report highlights that while educational systems are expanding, they are not necessarily equipping students with the insight and exposure they need to plan their futures effectively. As countries around the world grapple with economic uncertainty, rising youth unemployment, and shifting job markets, helping teenagers make informed career decisions is more than just a policy issue—it is a social and economic imperative.
Western Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Youth unemployment crisis warning as young people unprepared for work
The call comes on the day the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published 'The State of Global Teenage Career Preparation'. The major report highlights the mismatch globally between young people's career aspirations and the future job types available. It reveals that while jobs in digital, computing, data science and green have grown rapidly since the year 2000, the jobs that young people aspire to has hardly changed in 25 years. Official figures for the UK from the ONS show there are almost 1 million (987,000) young people not in education or employment (NEET) - the highest figure in over 10 years. (Image: Education & Employers) However, at the same time employers are struggling to recruit, leaving the UK facing a skills shortage and creating a reliance on overseas recruitment for jobs such as biological scientists, bricklayers, care workers, carpenters, graphic designers, laboratory and pharmaceutical technicians and roofers. Nick Chambers, CEO of Education & Employers, said about the impending crisis: 'We need urgent action today to secure growth and full youth employment tomorrow. 'This means immediately scaling up our efforts to help young people see what they can be. 'Our charity's mission is to ensure that every young person in our country, wherever they live, whatever their parents' or carers' circumstances, can meet a diverse range of volunteers to hear first-hand either in person or virtually about jobs and the world of work. 'This can be done quickly and easily, and swiftly scaled to cover millions of young people through initiatives such as our 'Inspiring the Future' programme, where a volunteer from the world of work simply chats informally to pupils either in primary or secondary schools, inspiring them about their job and career journey. 'This combination of either in-person or interactive virtual chats has the potential to revolutionise how children and young people see the opportunities open to them - giving them the chance to meet a diverse range of people doing different jobs, regardless of their geographic or socioeconomic background or family connections. "One hour a year from each of our volunteers regularly throughout a child's school years will have a hugely positive impact on their future life choices. Our extensive research has shown continuous interventions starting in primary school are needed.' Over 452,000 children and young people every year are meeting and chatting with people from the world of work through the Inspiring the Future platform. While 92,000 people have registered as volunteers together with 12,500 primary and secondary schools. It has already enabled 4,950,000 interactions between young people and people from the world of work. Education & Employers is seeking support to massively expand this reach so that every young person can hear from a career role model. Mr Chambers added: 'As a matter of urgency, we want to increase from just under 0.5 million a year children and young people to 1 million and then to 5 million. 'Now is the time for action to guarantee that our young people fully understand the opportunities open to them and that we have the future workforce we need to ensure a vibrant and prosperous economy and society for years to come.'
Glasgow Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Youth unemployment crisis warning as young people unprepared for work
The call comes on the day the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published 'The State of Global Teenage Career Preparation'. The major report highlights the mismatch globally between young people's career aspirations and the future job types available. It reveals that while jobs in digital, computing, data science and green have grown rapidly since the year 2000, the jobs that young people aspire to has hardly changed in 25 years. Official figures for the UK from the ONS show there are almost 1 million (987,000) young people not in education or employment (NEET) - the highest figure in over 10 years. (Image: Education & Employers) However, at the same time employers are struggling to recruit, leaving the UK facing a skills shortage and creating a reliance on overseas recruitment for jobs such as biological scientists, bricklayers, care workers, carpenters, graphic designers, laboratory and pharmaceutical technicians and roofers. Nick Chambers, CEO of Education & Employers, said about the impending crisis: 'We need urgent action today to secure growth and full youth employment tomorrow. 'This means immediately scaling up our efforts to help young people see what they can be. 'Our charity's mission is to ensure that every young person in our country, wherever they live, whatever their parents' or carers' circumstances, can meet a diverse range of volunteers to hear first-hand either in person or virtually about jobs and the world of work. 'This can be done quickly and easily, and swiftly scaled to cover millions of young people through initiatives such as our 'Inspiring the Future' programme, where a volunteer from the world of work simply chats informally to pupils either in primary or secondary schools, inspiring them about their job and career journey. 'This combination of either in-person or interactive virtual chats has the potential to revolutionise how children and young people see the opportunities open to them - giving them the chance to meet a diverse range of people doing different jobs, regardless of their geographic or socioeconomic background or family connections. "One hour a year from each of our volunteers regularly throughout a child's school years will have a hugely positive impact on their future life choices. Our extensive research has shown continuous interventions starting in primary school are needed.' Over 452,000 children and young people every year are meeting and chatting with people from the world of work through the Inspiring the Future platform. While 92,000 people have registered as volunteers together with 12,500 primary and secondary schools. It has already enabled 4,950,000 interactions between young people and people from the world of work. Education & Employers is seeking support to massively expand this reach so that every young person can hear from a career role model. Mr Chambers added: 'As a matter of urgency, we want to increase from just under 0.5 million a year children and young people to 1 million and then to 5 million. 'Now is the time for action to guarantee that our young people fully understand the opportunities open to them and that we have the future workforce we need to ensure a vibrant and prosperous economy and society for years to come.'
Leader Live
20-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Youth unemployment crisis warning as young people unprepared for work
The call comes on the day the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published 'The State of Global Teenage Career Preparation'. The major report highlights the mismatch globally between young people's career aspirations and the future job types available. It reveals that while jobs in digital, computing, data science and green have grown rapidly since the year 2000, the jobs that young people aspire to has hardly changed in 25 years. Official figures for the UK from the ONS show there are almost 1 million (987,000) young people not in education or employment (NEET) - the highest figure in over 10 years. (Image: Education & Employers) However, at the same time employers are struggling to recruit, leaving the UK facing a skills shortage and creating a reliance on overseas recruitment for jobs such as biological scientists, bricklayers, care workers, carpenters, graphic designers, laboratory and pharmaceutical technicians and roofers. Nick Chambers, CEO of Education & Employers, said about the impending crisis: 'We need urgent action today to secure growth and full youth employment tomorrow. 'This means immediately scaling up our efforts to help young people see what they can be. 'Our charity's mission is to ensure that every young person in our country, wherever they live, whatever their parents' or carers' circumstances, can meet a diverse range of volunteers to hear first-hand either in person or virtually about jobs and the world of work. 'This can be done quickly and easily, and swiftly scaled to cover millions of young people through initiatives such as our 'Inspiring the Future' programme, where a volunteer from the world of work simply chats informally to pupils either in primary or secondary schools, inspiring them about their job and career journey. 'This combination of either in-person or interactive virtual chats has the potential to revolutionise how children and young people see the opportunities open to them - giving them the chance to meet a diverse range of people doing different jobs, regardless of their geographic or socioeconomic background or family connections. "One hour a year from each of our volunteers regularly throughout a child's school years will have a hugely positive impact on their future life choices. Our extensive research has shown continuous interventions starting in primary school are needed.' Over 452,000 children and young people every year are meeting and chatting with people from the world of work through the Inspiring the Future platform. While 92,000 people have registered as volunteers together with 12,500 primary and secondary schools. It has already enabled 4,950,000 interactions between young people and people from the world of work. Education & Employers is seeking support to massively expand this reach so that every young person can hear from a career role model. Mr Chambers added: 'As a matter of urgency, we want to increase from just under 0.5 million a year children and young people to 1 million and then to 5 million. 'Now is the time for action to guarantee that our young people fully understand the opportunities open to them and that we have the future workforce we need to ensure a vibrant and prosperous economy and society for years to come.'
South Wales Argus
19-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Youth unemployment crisis warning as young people unprepared for work
The call comes on the day the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published 'The State of Global Teenage Career Preparation'. The major report highlights the mismatch globally between young people's career aspirations and the future job types available. It reveals that while jobs in digital, computing, data science and green have grown rapidly since the year 2000, the jobs that young people aspire to has hardly changed in 25 years. Official figures for the UK from the ONS show there are almost 1 million (987,000) young people not in education or employment (NEET) - the highest figure in over 10 years. (Image: Education & Employers) However, at the same time employers are struggling to recruit, leaving the UK facing a skills shortage and creating a reliance on overseas recruitment for jobs such as biological scientists, bricklayers, care workers, carpenters, graphic designers, laboratory and pharmaceutical technicians and roofers. Nick Chambers, CEO of Education & Employers, said about the impending crisis: 'We need urgent action today to secure growth and full youth employment tomorrow. 'This means immediately scaling up our efforts to help young people see what they can be. 'Our charity's mission is to ensure that every young person in our country, wherever they live, whatever their parents' or carers' circumstances, can meet a diverse range of volunteers to hear first-hand either in person or virtually about jobs and the world of work. 'This can be done quickly and easily, and swiftly scaled to cover millions of young people through initiatives such as our 'Inspiring the Future' programme, where a volunteer from the world of work simply chats informally to pupils either in primary or secondary schools, inspiring them about their job and career journey. 'This combination of either in-person or interactive virtual chats has the potential to revolutionise how children and young people see the opportunities open to them - giving them the chance to meet a diverse range of people doing different jobs, regardless of their geographic or socioeconomic background or family connections. "One hour a year from each of our volunteers regularly throughout a child's school years will have a hugely positive impact on their future life choices. Our extensive research has shown continuous interventions starting in primary school are needed.' Over 452,000 children and young people every year are meeting and chatting with people from the world of work through the Inspiring the Future platform. While 92,000 people have registered as volunteers together with 12,500 primary and secondary schools. It has already enabled 4,950,000 interactions between young people and people from the world of work. Education & Employers is seeking support to massively expand this reach so that every young person can hear from a career role model. Mr Chambers added: 'As a matter of urgency, we want to increase from just under 0.5 million a year children and young people to 1 million and then to 5 million. 'Now is the time for action to guarantee that our young people fully understand the opportunities open to them and that we have the future workforce we need to ensure a vibrant and prosperous economy and society for years to come.'
