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04.06.2025 14:02

Young people without working life skills?

Young people are often criticized for being late and lacking initiative, but according to experts, they are only learning about the skills needed in working life. Adults are responsible for teaching them.

Young person working in a cafe

Young people have poorer skills in working life than before. They are often late for work and when they are at work, they spend too much time on their phones.

This is the type of criticism that PAM’s Education Policy Specialist Eero Löytömäki often hears.

– You see it in the media, you hear it from employers, schools and employees, he says.

But what are these general working life skills really?

The meaning of this somewhat abstract concept seems to vary depending on who you ask.

According to Löytömäki, it is basically about knowing how to be part of the work community. That you come on time, report sick leave, behave appropriately and take responsibility for safety at work.

He adds that the worker should also understand the rights and obligations of employees. Working life skills is about knowing the basics of labour legislation and collective agreements: on what grounds you can be dismissed or what kind of salary you should get. Knowing your obligations is important too. Through an employment contract, you commit to certain working hours and tasks assigned by your supervisor.

– Understanding your rights and obligations is part of general knowledge. Everyone should know them after vocational studies or upper secondary school, says Löytömäki.

Ami Kalliomäki, Head of Competence Development at Turun Osuuskauppa, looks at working life skills from the perspective of a service sector employer. She mentions good social skills, the ability to work together, showing initiative and a willingness to serve as important qualities.

– In our industry, you have to get along with both customers and colleagues, she emphasizes.

There’s a first time for everything

It is unreasonable to expect perfect working life skills from a young person in his or her first summer job or training internship. Young people are constantly in the process of developing and learning.

– We expect you to have a fresh, open attitude and show a little courage too. We hope that the person will show initiative and dare to ask questions if something is unclear. Otherwise, we do provide orientation and training. For example, we tell you that when the work shift starts at nine o’clock you should be ready and with work clothes on, says Kalliomäki about the employer’s expectations.

Löytömäki underlines that certain basic things should be mastered even in the first summer job or internship: to be on time for work, follow instructions and carry out the tasks assigned by the manager.

– We should not expect too much from a 16-year-old either. I have noticed that sometimes employers think that young people are capable of more than they actually do, he says.

”Youth is always ruined”

Is the criticism about young people’s poor working life skills justified?

Paavo Tuomainen, a student counsellor at Varia Vocational School in Vantaa, does not recognize the phenomenon through his work. However, he has noticed the headlines in the media.

– I have been working with this for twenty years, and I have not heard any criticism from workplaces. Only a marginal group of our students have difficulties. Now it seems that a small minority is stigmatizing all young people, Tuomainen says.

Löytömäki believes that a large part of the criticism is about condemning young people, as has been done throughout the years. Some of the criticism can of course also be based on real experiences.

– There is a great deal of variation in what young people can and cannot do. Some have difficulties with reading, mathematics and behaviour already in primary school. But the majority is still doing fine, he says.

Since the reform of vocational upper secondary education in 2018, young people have done their on-the-job learning at an earlier stage of their studies, which may also have an impact on skills. Kalliomäki from Turun Osuuskauppa has not noticed that the skills of young people have declined. However, the aftermath of the pandemic is still felt today: social situations can be more stressful than before.

Who is responsible?

You can learn work-related skills at home, in primary and secondary schools, vocational schools, upper secondary schools and at work.

– Our education system has the main responsibility. Especially in vocational education, you need to learn the skills that will help you cope in working life. The role of workplaces has also increased since the vocational education reform, says Löytömäki.

He emphasises the importance of workplace instructors. They teach and supervise trainees in the workplace in addition to their own work.

– Workplace instructors act as a link between school and the workplace. They must have enough time and training to perform the role of an instructors, says Löytömäki.

Tuomainen from Varia says that working life skills are a theme that is addressed many times in vocational education: in the common degree components, in vocational lessons and right before starting an apprenticeship.

– If you are nervous about going to work, discussion support is available at school.

Text: Anu Vallinkoski

Keywords:

employment relationship

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