Young People in Estonia Struggle to Find a First Job as Youth Unemployment Hits Recent High
About 15,000 young people in Estonia are without work, the highest youth unemployment in recent years. Employers expect experience that first-time job seekers lack, and the head of the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund acknowledged shortcomings in supporting young people.
Youth unemployment in Estonia has reached its highest level in recent years, with about 15,000 young people out of work. The issue was discussed on the programme Impulss on public broadcaster ETV. Those seeking a first job are caught in a vicious circle, because employers expect applicants to have several years of work experience.
One young woman's experience
Keili Parts from Pärnu, who studied marketing, was registered with the Unemployment Insurance Fund, the state employment agency. Through acquaintances she happened to get a chance to substitute for teaching assistants at a kindergarten, and realised she loved the work. However, she was unable to obtain retraining through the Fund; she was told there were already too many teachers in Pärnu County.
Parts also pointed to restrictions on short-term side jobs while registered with the Fund. She was told that if she had worked at a place once, she could not go back. In her words, this makes it hard to build a long-term relationship with an employer, and employers themselves wonder how to build trust when they see a person only once or twice.
Responses from the agency and the minister
Gert Tiivas, head of the Unemployment Insurance Fund, acknowledged that the agency has room to improve and apologised. He said the matter of side jobs is somewhat confused. Since September a new option has been available, a trial working day, and this year the Fund has started employing special youth employment counsellors.
Liina Vahtras, Minister of Economy and Industry, urged young people to consider a range of vacancies rather than focus on a dream job, since first work experience strengthens a CV and helps with later salary negotiations. She proposed creating a digital platform where young people could list their skills and preferences and be connected directly with employers.
Hando Sutter, head of the Estonian Employers' Confederation, said that in the short term working with young people puts extra strain on employers, but more and more companies understand that hiring and training them is key to competitiveness.
Hilkka Hiiop, rector of the Estonian Academy of Arts, said universities should help students develop a broad range of skills rather than only narrow specialisation. Monika Tamla, adviser at the State Chancellery and career counsellor, suggested introducing a separate career counselling subject in basic school.
