Creating a better 'normal': the Skillsroad 2020 COVID-19 youth review

This report combines data and findings from two proprietary Skillsroad surveys undertaken in 2020 with relevant supporting research and insights to review the nature of the challenges Gen Z [born 1995 to 2009; in 2020, between 12 and 25 years old] and young millennials [born 1980 to 1994; in 2020, between 26 and 40 years old] are currently dealing with, and how this may impact their working lives going forward. The report begins by providing a sweeping overview of how Gen Z generally differ from previous generations, and then delves into five 'challenge statements' relevant to the cohort as identified during the research. Each statement ends with practically actionable resources and insight to help employers, educators and parents identify the next steps they can take to support Australian youth going forward.

Key findings include: (1) Australian youth employment has been hard hit by the pandemic - 42.3 per cent of working respondents became unemployed or stood down because of [Coronavirus Disease 2019] COVID-19; they are worried about there being enough jobs in the future - and about liking the career they pick; (2) 55 per cent of youth are open to changing their plans if it means optimising career stability and future financial security; (3) the later youth start engaging with industry- and career-related advice, the more likely they are to worry about liking their future careers; 48 per cent of respondents said they want 'career discussion started earlier in school', while 68 per cent of respondents said they want more information about 'the jobs of the future'; and (4) Gen Z embraces diversity and multiple identities as core to who they are; improving how diversity and difference is approached and embraced in the workplace will lead to better talent uptake in the vocational education and training (VET) sector and positive career outcomes for more Australians.

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