Youth Unemployment Research Articles

Youth Employment Recovery in the Post-Covid-19 Economy: The Potential Role of Education and Training

South Africa has one of the highest reported rates of youth unemployment coupled with poverty and inequality in the world. These challenges have recently been worsened by the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the economy. Unemployment rates have remained stubbornly high in the country and have been a consistent concern for government and policymakers. In light of the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, the purpose of this paper is to analyse South African youth employment recovery in the post-Covid-19 economy. In particular, this paper analyses the potential role of education and training in the recovery of youth employment. Document analysis and a critical literature review were conducted to address the objective of this paper. In the research that informed this paper, firstly, a Google search was conducted to obtain relevant documents and publications on the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. Secondly, a comprehensive literature search across 10 scholarly databases was conducted to obtain relevant recently published articles. Documents and scholarly articles were analysed through thematic analysis. The results indicate that Covid-19 has contributed to the overall surge in job losses. However, the impact of the pandemic on youth unemployment itself is minimal, as youth unemployment was already high in the pre-Covid-19 economy. Further results show that addressing youth unemployment largely depends on economic growth. In particular, “appropriate” education and training, as part of the recovery plan, can play a key role in economic growth stimulation and job creation. These results call for collaborative efforts from different stakeholders, not only to implement programmes and policies that contribute to economic growth, but also to develop an education system that addresses the labour market needs.

Enhancing youth's retention in potato farming enterprise through consortium agribusiness models in Tanzania

AbstractThe future of African youth probably lies in agriculture; however, this can be realized by making agriculture both profitable and attractive to young people. The importance of increasing youth involvement in agricultural value chains is primarily to sustain food production and secondly to reduce youth unemployment. Youth can be involved in various segments of agriculture and food value chains including production, post‐harvest handling, distribution, value addition, and marketing. In Tanzania, Agri‐Hub networks promote entrepreneurship by linking the youth to processing, markets, agricultural input dealers, extension services, and the promotion of existing and emerging agribusiness opportunities. It is believed that market access is critical in igniting an agricultural transformation that will upgrade African farmers (youth) from subsistence to business‐focused production. Kilimo Trust in Tanzania has been employing an innovative consortium agribusiness model to efficiently link youth farmers to outputs and inputs markets. The model helped these farmers in accessing sustainable, profitable, and structured input and output markets, particularly those engaged in potato production. Thus, a study was designed to find how the consortium business model influences youth engagement and retention in potato farming enterprises. The study employed a multistage sampling technique to collect data from 144 participants and 120 non‐participants of the consortium business model. A questionnaire and key informant interviews were employed to collect data. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, content analysis, and propensity score matching. The findings of this study reveal that young small‐scale farmers participated in collaborative procurement of inputs and marketing of potatoes and attended training during project implementation. The results further show that participation in the consortium business model has a positive and significant effect on youth's retention in potato farming enterprises. Youth potato farmers participating in the consortium business model have higher profit per hectare (2,392,326.5TZS/Ha) than youth in groups not utilizing the consortium business model to the group membership (2,170,405 TZS/Ha). Therefore, this study recommends that governments support policies that will facilitate the establishment and strengthening of the consortium business models. This will assist in sustainably engaging and retaining youth in agriculture through increased productivity and profit.

Entrepreneurship Education for Gross National Happiness in Bhutan

The Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan enjoys global fame for its pursuit of GNH (Gross National Happiness) as an alternative model of development. An increase in youth unemployment has made Bhutan look to entrepreneurship as a possible solution, prompting a need for entrepreneurship education. But what could entrepreneurship education look like in a context where policies and culture promote simple living and contentment, are cautious with regard to cultural change, and seek to constrain wealth accumulation of private sector entrepreneurs? This essay offers a number of suggestions for entrepreneurship education guided by GNH principles. The essay concludes by discussing what Western cultures can learn from GNH infused entrepreneurship education.

Entrepreneurship development in universities across Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a systematic review of the research and way forward

PurposeEntrepreneurship has been recognized as a vital tool to combat youth unemployment and rising exclusion, as it is an incredible force that impacts economic development and societal growth by stimulating innovation, job creation and social empowerment. On the other hand, higher education institutions (HEIs) can foster entrepreneurship and thus develop entrepreneurial self-efficacy, self-employment, innovation, enhanced ability to risk-taking and thus result in benefiting people, society, organizations and economy. This prompted the authors to carry out an in-depth investigation of published research on entrepreneurship development and HEIs across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.Design/methodology/approachThis study strives to analyze the work carried out until now on entrepreneurship development in HEIs across GCC countries and describe the constructs characterizing it. Bibliometric and content analysis were carried out, integrating citations in Scopus database for last 10 years. Two software packages – Bibliometric R and VOS viewer – were used to investigate the research questions and construct various visualizations of bibliometric networks. Thematic mapping of this multidimensional research area is demonstrated, and evolving trends are identified.FindingsFindings revealed that research on entrepreneurship development in HEIs is more prevalent in UAE and Saudi Arabia followed by Oman and Qatar. However, more efforts are required to further consolidate cross-national collaborations among all the GCC countries to obtain a comprehensive overview of the regional context.Originality/valueSuch a comprehensive bibliometric review coupled with content analysis on entrepreneurship development in HEIs across GCC countries has not yet been published, to the best of the authors’ knowledge.

The Effect of Digitalization on Youth Unemployment for EU Countries: Treat or Threat?

Unemployment affects approximately 73 million young people, representing 17.9% of the global youth workforce in 2022. Although there are several policies to prevent youth unemployment, digitalization seems to be one of the strongest. This research focuses on the impact of the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) on youth unemployment in 27 European countries from 2018 to 2021. For the research, the “Digital Economy and Society Index” was measured with four sub-dimensions. These were “connectivity”, “digital public services”, “human capital”, and “digital technology integration”. Additionally, “Youth Unemployment” was measured with three sub-dimensions. These included the “long-term youth unemployment rate”, “not in education, employment, or training rate”, and “youth unemployment rate”. The analyses were conducted using SmartPLS 4 and the results showed that the DESI reduces youth unemployment each year. According to the findings, the indicators of DESI can be an effective strategy for combating youth unemployment in European countries.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s higher education: investment decisions on human capital in the presence of youth unemployment

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to investigate the dynamic relationship between unemployment and higher education participation. By using panel data covering 40 sub-Saharan African countries from 2000 to 2020, we opt to use a well-developed dynamic panel generalized method of moments estimator. The findings show that the youth unemployment rate has an inverse relationship with higher education enrollment in SSA and more specifically in countries with a low level of human development, independently of gender considerations. However, youth unemployment has a positive but not significant effect on enrollment in the medium-/high-level countries. They also show that youth unemployment positively relates to students’ dropping out. These results imply that improvement is possible in the higher education sector if policymakers would consistently target lower unemployment rates.

Poverty, Youth Unemployment, Maritime Piracy, and Sea Robbery in Nigeria between 1995 and 2013: A Relationship Assessment

The study investigated the relationships between the poverty level in Nigeria and levels of global and local pirate attacks against ships on one hand; and between the unemployment rate in Nigeria and the level of local and global attack against ships, as well as the volume of cargo pilfered from Nigerian ports, on the other hand. The study employed secondary data sourced from the Nigerian Ports Authority, the National Bureau for Statistics (NBS), and the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) on the poverty rate, unemployment rate, levels of pirate attacks against ships in local and global waters, and volume of cargo pilferages in ports. The multiple regression analysis method was used to analyze the dataset obtained, using poverty rate and unemployment rate as the dependent variables in each case. It was found that poverty among dwellers is a component driver of maritime piracy and sea robbery against ships trading in Nigeria, since there is a significant relationship between the level of maritime insecurity and the rate of poverty in Nigeria. The study also found that there is a significant relationship between the level of maritime piracy/sea robbery and the unemployment rate in Nigeria. Highlights Maritime insecurity in Nigeria waterways Pirate attacks against ships trading in Nigeria waters is linked to unrest in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria Maritime piracy in Nigeria waters is correlated with Poverty, unemployment, economic hardship in Nigeria Significant relationship exist between maritime insecurity and poverty rate in Nigeria

An Exploration of Construction Craftspeople Apprentice Training: Evidence from the UK

ABSTRACT Today, demographic data shows that the workforce in the construction sector is aging. The prevalence of injuries, such as musculoskeletal problems, and low labor productivity have been linked to the aging construction workforce. To improve the supply of young workers to the industry, stakeholders, i.e. government and the private sector, are investing in construction craftspeople apprenticeship programmes. These programmes address two keys issues: (i) provide training to young workers for construction jobs and (ii) reduction in youth unemployment. This qualitative study explored the practice of mentoring during construction craftspeople apprenticeship within the UK. Eighteen people who are involved in the various stages of apprentice training were interviewed about mentoring practice. The data was transcribed and qualitatively analyzed. The data highlights the prevalence of informal mentoring of proteges during the period of craftspeople apprenticeship. Lack of structured mentoring programme and inadequate support from mentors were identified as the main barriers to effective mentoring. Also, building strong relationship, patience, vast industry experience and good communication skills are attributes of effective mentors. The study concludes by providing insights into its theoretical contributions and practical implications for vocational training and the construction sector.

A framework to develop technopreneurs in digital agriculture value chains in South Africa

Background: The coronavirus epidemic together with Industry 4 has created several disruptors that transformed workplaces and markets. This also highlighted the need to rethink and find alternative approaches to secure future work for unemployed graduates and youth. Digital technology adoption in agriculture value chains (AVCs) creates opportunities for the development of technopreneurs that can help to address this issue of unemployment.Objectives: This study aimed to understand how an institutional framework can support the inclusive development of technopreneurs in digital AVCs. This should align to government policies and the opportunities created by Industry 4.0.Method: A systematic literature review (SLR) assessed numerous frameworks that aligns with government policies and strategies associated with digital for development (D4D). The final outcome is a framework that lists the institutions to support the development of technopreneurs in digital AVCs in South Africa.Results: Provincial digital innovation hubs and district agro-food sustainable knowledge hubs are suggested for implementation. The adoption of digital technology in AVCs is encouraged by these institutions that create future work and enterprise creation opportunities for unemployed graduates and youth.Conclusion: An alternative conceptualisation of the emergence of technopreneurs is envisioned in order to address the research question. This will assist to better understand the institutional arrangement needed to support the development of technopreneurs in AVCs.Contribution: This research adds to D4D literature as such a framework does not exist in South Africa. In the future, this will assist practitioners and academics in better organising, conceptualising and carrying out their investigations.

Addressing Youth Unemployment in Nigeria: The Role of TVET and Strategies for Empowerment

Addressing Youth Unemployment in Nigeria: The Role of TVET and Strategies for Empowerment

Youth Unemployment and National Security in Nigeria: An Exploratory Study

The successful handing over of power from the military oligarchy to a neophyte political class and the consequent returned of the nation to civil rule on May 29, 1999 has shifted attention to how to nurture the fledging democracy to maturity such that it can no longer be truncated either by internal or external forces. The stability of the nation has become the concern of all both the government and the governed. Pro democracy groups, human rights groups, civil societies and others have been greatly involved in the democratic consolidation in Nigeria. In spite of the above not much seems to have been achieved in the area of national security. The issue of national security has become a subject of debate and a serious concern to all and sundry. This is due to the various security challenges facing the country. This paper, therefore looked at unemployment as one of the major challenges to national security. The use of content analysis of secondary sources from published books, journals, official documents, newspapers and magazines was employed in this work. Maslow Human Hierarchy of Needs theory was also used to illuminate the study. It was gathered that, of numerous factors responsible for the uncontrollable rate of insecurity in the nation, unemployment is noted to be at forefront since many youths who are capable and willing to work are affected by this menace. The paper finally recommended that for the problem of insecurity to be abated, the economy of the nation should be diversified as the total dependence on crude oil receipt has done havoc to the productive sectors of Nigerian economy. The government should set up a contingency fund for agricultural and industrial development, as urgent preliminary initiative. Furthermore, the paper recommended the need for collaborative arrangement between the public and private sectors and that the educational sector should be developed through adequate funding to a stage where job seekers and graduates can stand on their own without looking for white collar jobs that are not available. Keywords: Security, Unemployment, Social Vices, Insecurity, Nigeria, Economy, Democracy Journal Reference Format: Ibitoye, M.O., Owolabi, D. & Akinlade, M.T. (2023): Youth Unemployment and National Security in Nigeria: An Exploratory Study. Humanities, Management, Arts, Education & the Social Sciences Journal. Vol. 11. No. 2, Pp 45-58. www.isteams.net/humanitiesjournal. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/HUMANITIES/V11N2P5

Students unrest in Nigerian universities: Types, causes and administrative strategies to the challenges

This write up is on the influence of students’ unrest, prevalent in the administration of public universities in Nigeria. The author used library research to look into the types, causes and influences on university administration and the administrative strategies to curtail the challenges. Students’ unrest is described as intentional, destructive, disruptive and conflicting behaviour of students’ in universities. It is the rampage made by students in pressing their demand on certain issues with university authorities. Student unrest include; demonstration, boycott of classes/lectures, civil disturbance, protect, crises, and riot among others. The causes have been identified to be poor funding of the universities system, government and public political interference, cultism, insecurity, communication gap, peer influence, management leadership styles, school environment/facilities, and youth unemployment among others. It was discovered that student unrest affects university administration in various forms such as; Malicious destruction and vandalism of infrastructures thereby preventing effective teaching and learning, Some suggestions were offered; University management/administrations should diffuse tension and crises pruned problems from university management and administration through good government such as; collective decision making involving students, showing respect to students’ demands, being equitable and unbiased in disciplinary issues, being transparent and effective in communication and Government funding of universities appropriately and adequately.

Threats to Various Components of Human Security Cause Brain Drain in Pakistan

The aim of this scientific paper is to investigate different aspects of insecurity which cause the brain drain in Pakistan, witnessing numerous challenges to the human security for a long time. The research encompasses the period from 2000 to 2021 covering various threats to human protections such as personal, community, economic and political securities in the country. The authors applied process tracing method of qualitative approach under applied research model for examining chains of the events related to absence of human security causing brain drain in Pakistan. The secondary data was used to extensively probe the issues concerning brain drain and its reasons. The study identified the aforementioned characteristics of the human insecurity which exacerbate the brain drain in Pakistan. For example personal security which became under threats due to rising violent extremism and terrorism in the post 2000 era. The community security as a part of human security, also faced threats from the violent extermist and militant organizations. The economic insecurity was aggravated by inequitable socio- economic conditions in the country, which trigger brain drain among unemployed youth. The country’s political system as a part of political security faced instability and insecurity due to conflictual political environment in the country. 
 

The Pursuit of Entrepreneurship by Youths in the Caribbean

Youth entrepreneurship is being promoted by policymakers in developing countries as a key strategy to combat high youth unemployment, reduce individual poverty, engender social mobility, and facilitate youth inclusion in the formal economy. International, regional, national, and other stakeholders have promulgated policies and programs to lend support for this strategy. This article utilized data derived from a survey of youth entrepreneurs conducted in the town of Linden, Guyana, together with agency interviews from the same community and from national agencies involved in youth entrepreneurship to fulfill its objectives. The survey and agency interviews are part of a broader mixed method study conducted by the authors aimed at understanding the factors impacting youth entrepreneurship in Guyana, a developing country in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. The importance of the survey to this study is to discern what youth entrepreneurs themselves say about their businesses and about themselves as entrepreneurs. This paper adds to the sparse literature on this phenomenon. The intent of the authors of this study is multi-faceted. This paper seeks to provide an understanding of who these young entrepreneurs are, the factors that motivate them to start their own businesses and their preparedness for such ventures. We explore and explain the support provided to youth entrepreneurs, their access to and perceptions of such support. Thirdly, we provide an understanding of how youth entrepreneurs view the successes and positives of their businesses and their intimate feelings and fears about their ventures. This paper challenges the prevailing “necessity entrepreneurship” framing of youth entrepreneurship.

РОЛЬ СОЦІАЛЬНОГО ПІДПРИЄМНИЦТВА У ВИРІШЕННІ ПРОБЛЕМИ МОЛОДІЖНОГО БЕЗРОБІТТЯ

The research is devoted to one of the critical problems of the employment of the population of Ukraine today, namely the problem of youth unemployment, which became even more acute during the martial law. An analysis of the indicators characterizing the employment of Ukraine’s youth and their quantitative and qualitative characteristics was carried out, thanks to which we can ascertain the high level of youth unemployment. The specifics of the youth’s age-specific socio-psychological and qualification features as the most unprepared for the current complex state of the labor market and one of the most vulnerable parts of the workforce in Ukraine are described. Official statistical data on youth unemployment are presented, and a comparative analysis of youth unemployment during martial law is made. The results of sociological research on the entrepreneurial orientations of modern youth were analyzed, and the desire of most young people to start their own businesses was emphasized. The problems that arise when opening a business for young people are considered, namely, the need for own funds and opportunities for obtaining a loan, as well as the sufficiency of work experience in the relevant field. The possibility of improving the employment situation of Ukrainian youth is considered, in particular, based on the development of youth entrepreneurship and the use of an innovative business model such as social entrepreneurship. The features of social entrepreneurship in Ukraine and the current state of its development are defined and considered. The advantages and opportunities that social entrepreneurship opens for modern youth to realize their business ideas and overcome youth unemployment in the domestic labor market have been established. Information is provided on the possibilities of self-information about social entrepreneurship, and the main differences between social entrepreneurship and ordinary types of economic activity are indicated.

'Entrance fees': Black youth and access to artistic production in Gqeberha, South Africa


 
 
 The arts sector in South Africa is portrayed as a multiracial, emancipatory and inclusive sector that promises to reduce youth unemployment and to mitigate inequality. In post- apartheid art institutions, artistic merit and perseverance are deemed to be sufficient in order to access the art sector and its market. The paths of individual black artists from poor areas who have succeeded in accessing the institutional art circuit are praised by the media, policymakers and curators. A romanticisation of their efforts is coupled with identifying them as role models for younger generations.
 Despite emphasis on the inclusivity of the art sector and the hailing of successful paths, black artists report a long-standing difficulty in gaining access to, and being fully accredited in, the institutional art circuit. The ambiguity of the art sector, which claims to be inclusive in word but is de facto exclusionary, deeply affects young black artists whose first steps into the art sector are often accompanied by a feeling of uneasiness and bewilderment.
 Drawing on the multivocal accounts of the everyday life of young black artists who work in the field of performance art in Gqeberha, this article unveils the ‘entrance fees’ that black artists have to negotiate in order to access the institutional art circuit, i.e. the obstacles they have to overcome, but also the deals and concessions they have to make in order to build their career and be fully recognised as artists.
 Moreover, the article sheds light on a double invisibility in the performing arts sector: on one side the economic, spatial and reputational obstacles that artists deal with are dismissed as part of the everyday life of individuals coming from marginal areas; on the other side, the performing arts and spaces that young black artists create within alternative or complementary circuits are not considered part of the city’s artistic production.
 
 

Jobless and Stuck: Youth Unemployment and COVID-19 in India

Jobless and Stuck: Youth Unemployment and COVID-19 in India

Digital media and creative economy potential on youth employment in Kenya: a grounded theory perspective

PurposeKenya leads East Africa in creative goods export and enjoys high internet penetration. Therefore, identifying pathways, missed opportunities for accelerating job creation and development in the sector and strategies for mitigating youth-related challenges are essential. This paper therefore aims to examine the effects of digital media and the cultural and creative industry (CCI) on youth employment and economic development.Design/methodology/approachThe document review and analysis data came from 45 scientific and 23 grey literature articles. While the lack of primary data is a study limitation, secondary data were drawn from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Statistics and the 2016–2022 entertainment and media outlook analysis. Microsoft Excel 2021 for Windows was used to analyze quantitative data and generate results.FindingsSince the CCI sector is characterized by limited financial opportunities, low youth participation in the labor force and weak policy frameworks, success in the industry requires key pathways. These include investment in digital-led innovations, developing innovative models, building partnerships with the private sector, strategic investment by government in the potential creative industry sub-sectors and identifying successful scaling-up models.Originality/valueInformation gathered through this study is crucial to counter the youth unemployment challenge and strategy identification, which could be used in skills and capabilities development in the potential creative economy. Future researchers must explore how to apply the proposed creative capacity theoretical lens to inform research in the sector.

A Study of Employability Skills: From the Employers and Youth Perspective

The issues of skills mismatched among the youth and employers appear to be very intense in Malaysia. The unemployed youth are actively seeking jobs and trying to fulfill the criteria needed by employers to get hired. However, many failed to fulfill the requirements due to skills mismatched. This situation does not show that the supply meets the demand in terms of youth employment and job vacancies. Thus, this study aimed to explore the perceptions of employers and youth regarding the employability skills required by the youth to secure employment and any disparities in their perceptions. This study was a cross-sectional survey research design and employed a quantitative method by distributing a set of questionnaires that adapted from the Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) to two groups of respondents which are employers (n=375) and youth (n=384) in Batu Pahat, Johor. Descriptive analyses and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze the data. The findings showed significant differences in the perception levels of employers and youth regarding most of the employability skills assessed except for Basic Skills. The results from this study can be used to enhance the understanding of employability skills as well as to be the guidelines for policy-making decisions to find mutual expectations and reduce the expectation gaps between these two groups.

The Impact of Inflation and Actualized APBD Expenditures on Manado City's Jobless Rate, 2007-2021

Purpose: This study aims to analyse the effect of inflation, the human development index, and the provincial minimum wage on unemployment in Indonesia and also analyse the effect of Gross Regional Domestic Product, provincial minimum wage, investment, inflation, and population on provincial youth unemployment in Java and Sulawesi in 2011–2019. Method: The research objective is to determine the effect of inflation and the realization of APBD spending on unemployment in the city of Manado. The type of research used by the author is a quantitative descriptive research type, and the type of data used is secondary data obtained from BPS Manado City and North Sulawesi Province BPS. In this study using the Multiple Regression analysis model. The method used is panel data regression, with data from 33 provinces in Indonesia in 2015-2018. Results and conclusion: The results of this study indicate that inflation has a negative but not significant effect and the realization of APBD spending has a negative and significant effect on the unemployment rate. The government has been good at using its APBD spending so that the increase in realized spending can reduce the unemployment rate in Manado City. Research implications: The large number of open unemployment has broad social implications because those who do not work do not have income. Unemployment is a problem faced by almost all regions, Manado City, which is the capital of the province, is not immune from this unemployment problem. Originality/value: Multicollinearity testing of the study aims to test whether the regression model found a correlation between the independent variables.