First Job in Colombia: 53.5% of Young People Cannot Find Work Due to Lack of Experience
More than half of young Colombians who struggle to find work say a lack of experience stands in their way, highlighting a major barrier to getting a first job in Colombia. A report titled “¿Qué sabemos, qué falta y qué sigue?” (“What do we know, what is missing, and what comes next?”) found that 53.5% […]
Finding a first job in Colombia proves difficult for many young people, with 53.5% of them unable to secure employment due to a lack of experience. The issue runs deeper than simply obtaining a paycheck, as many young individuals struggle to find stable work and opportunities for career advancement. According to a report titled "¿Qué sabemos, qué falta y qué sigue?"
("What do we know, what is missing, and what comes next?"), 53.5% of young people cite insufficient work experience as the primary reason they cannot find jobs. This challenge is further compounded by the fact that 56.8% of young people who do find employment are working in the informal economy, lacking job security and growth prospects.
Additionally, approximately five million young Colombians are neither in education nor employed, with gender, origin, and location playing significant roles in these disparities. Young women constitute 71% of the group, while young Venezuelan migrants and those with disabilities face additional barriers to education and employment.
Geography also plays a crucial role, as the departments of Guainia and Vaupes have the lowest high school graduation rates, limiting employment prospects for young people in these regions. Furthermore, more than 30% of 15-year-olds remain uncertain about their career paths. To address this multifaceted problem, the report suggests five priorities: integrating guidance, training, practical experience, job placement, and continuous support into a cohesive pathway; tailoring solutions for various regions, as different youth populations require distinct forms of assistance; recognizing mental health as an integral component of employment initiatives; fostering partnerships among government entities, businesses, educational institutions, and youth organizations; and acknowledging the gaps in current knowledge regarding effective programs, additional support measures for companies, and the evolving skills required in an increasingly automated job market.
Written by urgent.news from Colombia One's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
