Bayt.Com calls for more youth awareness on job prospects in non-traditional sectors

A joint survey conducted by Bayt.Com and YouGov cautioned against the high rates of unemployment among the youth in the Middle East and North Africa, showing that nearly one third of college graduates (29%) are jobless, including 43% female graduates and 59% fresh graduates (between 18 and 24 years of age). The study was carried out in collaboration with ‘Injaz Al Arab’ non-profit youth education organization which is the regional bureau of the international ‘Junior Achievement’ foundation. The outcomes of the poll indicated that while the overwhelming majority of young people leave college unprepared for employment, it also revealed that around 80% of fresh graduates covered by the questionnaire maintained that the educational institutions did not orient them towards adequate employment choices. The survey unveiled that very specific industry sectors in the region attracted young people. It pointed out that about two thirds of respondents lacked sufficient knowledge to contemplate a job in the hospitality, aviation or media industries, as less than half of those believe these sectors extend good opportunities only to enhance the career life. When making a decision about a job, the results have shown that salaries (59%) and long-term career prospects (46%) constitute the two major factors influencing students/graduates' decisions. Furthermore, the poll indicated that salaries are more important to men (61%) than to women (54%) and finally underscored the need for an awareness campaign to help the youth improve their perceptions/and expectations to adjust with reality on the ground. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, February 8, 2016)