In 2018, youth unemployment for 15-24 year olds was 16.8 per cent in Sweden. This number is too high, according to Mentor. It is Mentor’s goal to bring this statistic down. One way of increasing the odds that young people quickly and early enter the job market is by engaging companies and getting them to take an interest in young people and their knowledge. This would benefit youth, business culture, and society as a whole. For this reason, Mentor is organizing a panel of experts at Almedalsveckan to discuss how to inspire the next generation of youth (Generation Z) into the labor market and how to become a role model for them.
When a young person has delayed access to the labor market, it can have serious implications including social exclusion, quality of life and mental health issues. Therefore, we must work together to create a labor market that opens doors for youth. It is important to help transition the next generation into the workplace – give them contacts, self-confidence and guidance – early in life.
Sara Revell Ford, Secretary General Mentor
Increased demands on the next generation
Today, the demand for competence is increasing. It can be difficult for young people to find a way into the job market. “The Swedish labor market is tight. This means it often requires higher education and greater experience to establish oneself. High thresholds for entry can lead to to feelings of alienation and fear about to the labor market,” says Martin Norrby, 17, a student and activist in the association More Youth (Fler Unga). According to statistics from the Public Health Authority (Folkhälsomyndigheten), market entry age has increased from 21 years to 29 years between 1985 to 2014. This delay in entry can be a contributing factor in the increase of mental illness among young people.
Mentor panel at Almedalsveckan 2019
Inspire the next generation into the labor market – Become the role model of the future
Panel of experts
Sara Revell Ford, Secretary General at Mentor Sweden
Alexandra Pascalidou, journalist, author and moderator during the panel discussion
Martin Norrby, active in the association More Young
Lars Ericson, CEO of Consumer Association Stockholm
Ingrid Höög, CEO of Wise Group
Cilla Benkö, CEO of Sveriges Radio
Ann-Therése Enarsson, CEO of TCO’s think tank Futurion
Shervin Razani, CEO of Jurek
Time and place
Tuesday, 2 July at 9 – 10am as Kilgränd 1 (near Donners Hotell)
For questions, please contact
Tina Berglund
Communications Manager, Mentor Sweden
+4673 344 00 27
[email protected]