Disconnected Youth: Why Gen Z and Gen Alpha Are Struggling to Find Their Place in Today’s Job Market

NEETs aren’t so neat. As we navigate the evolving workforce landscape, I've been reflecting on the rise of new terms like NEETs—young people "Not in Employment, Education, or Training." It’s a trend that’s capturing attention, with about 16% of Americans aged 18-24 fitting this category, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, which calls them "disconnected youth." This marks an increase from the 11.2% of U.S. youth ages 15-24 considered NEETs in 2023, per CNBC.

Why is this happening?

For many of these young people, barriers such as limited job networks, childcare challenges, unaccommodated disabilities, and transportation issues are making it difficult to access work or learning opportunities. Disconnected youth are also more likely to come from rural areas, have family incomes below $50k, or be from communities of color. With nearly 70% having only a high school diploma, many are not eligible for certain roles, and traditional male-dominated industries like construction and manufacturing are declining. Even well-qualified job seekers face hurdles as companies opt to retain their current workforce rather than hire new talent.

And honestly, if it weren't for my mom's persistent encouragement (and a few not-so-subtle nudges), I might have ended up as a NEET myself. Instead, I got the thrilling honor of becoming a SINK—single-income, no kids which is an even better lable than NEET. (Seriously, were sociologists, demographers, and market researchers out of better ideas that day?!)

But I digress. Let's get back to the pressing issue at hand: addressing the challenges facing our NEET youth.

This isn't just a U.S. phenomenon. It's a growing global issue.

Globally, the situation mirrors these challenges. Youth unemployment in Canada reached 13.5% in June, the highest since 2014, excluding pandemic-related spikes. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently highlighted the need for businesses to invest more in local workers and youth. Similarly, in China, youth unemployment hit 17.1% in July 2024, with many college graduates returning home and relying on their parents due to a lack of job opportunities. Africa and South Korea are facing comparable trends.

So, what can we do?

For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the path forward is about adaptability. A talent acquisition expert recently suggested that job seekers should focus on aggressive networking and consider starting in entry-level positions that may lead to future growth. But the reality is that many systemic issues—like economic conditions, inflation, high housing costs, and inadequate infrastructure—are beyond the immediate control of today’s youth. These are challenges that need to be addressed by our leaders and policymakers.

As someone passionate about understanding and supporting the younger generations, it's crucial to acknowledge these challenges while also advocating for solutions that empower them. It’s time for us to bridge the gap, providing the support and opportunities Gen Z and Gen Alpha need to thrive in today’s ever-changing world.

What I'm doing about it.

Having co-founded Esports Tower, a youth training and development organization, we've helped over +15,000 kids level up in the game and in life using popular video games to instill soft skills like improved communication, conflict resolution skills, cooperation, resiliency, leadership and more. While helping these talented teens score millions in college scholarships has been rewarding, it's been more impressive to watch how esports, just like traditional sports, can help kids gain confidence and grow the soft skills employers seek. Check out this inspiring trailer for an upcoming show we're producing about these amazing kids.

Additionally, in my latest passion project, I’m striving to put a new twist on the traditional job assessment by enabling kids to take a simple quiz that would quickly identify ideal careers within the gaming industry that would align with their personal passions. By quickly helping youth hone in on their passion and linking it to a viable profession, they’ll fast track into a career that could last a lifetime rather than find themselves caught up in becoming a NEET – not employed with no advanced education or training. Hopefully, I'll get that prototype done before December, so more to come on that... I’ll be looking for Alpha testers; if you’re interested, message me 😊

What are your thoughts on NEETs and supporting these young individuals in our workforce?

Let's discuss when you have time.

#GenZ #GenAlpha #FutureOfWork #YouthUnemployment #WorkforceDevelopment #HR