What concerns aspiring young workers
The lack of previous experience, the competition and the skills (soft and hard ones) that companies look for are the biggest concerns of the new generation, which is trying to combine the passion for what they study with the needs as well as the high labor market requirements, the Entrepreneurship and Careers Panorama heard on Friday at the Athens Concert Hall.
“I am a student studying IT and specializing in web design. I don’t know whether I will find a company that is directly related to my field of study, but, regardless of that, I want to see what skills I need to develop,” said Dimitris, who chose to pursue work in the sector because he sees great demand there.
“I’m interested to see, in and from the panels and from the discussions with the companies, how I’m going to manage the lack of experience part, that is, what skills I need to develop now to fill that gap [of lack of experience] and find my first job,” 23-year-old Regina pointed out as she left a room where she heard useful tips about the interview process.
So what are these skills that businesses are typically looking for? Crisis management, adaptability, curiosity, ability to suggest new ideas to employees, and empathy.
In his speech at the opening of the conference, European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas spoke of a “skills revolution” at a time when climate change and the digital transition are bringing about many changes.
“For this revolution to succeed it will have to touch all EU citizens, regardless of whether they live in large urban centers or in remote areas, regardless of whether they have already acquired a certain level of education or training, regardless of their social or of their economic origin,” he said.
Speaking about Greece, Schinas said that “we must destigmatize entrepreneurship in our country,” citing a Eurobarometer survey according to which Greece scored the fourth highest percentage among European countries in terms of the desire of young people to start their own businesses instead of being employed. This is a percentage of 55%, however, “only 26% have started or tried to start their own business.” The reasons include the lack of funds, the unfavorable economic climate, the high financial risk etc.
