Finished college, job secured?

Finished school, job in hand?

This is becoming less and less common than it was a few years ago for young professionals just starting their careers. A new data analysis by the recruitment agency Index shows how the number of job openings for young professionals has changed since 2019. While 21,791 positions were advertised in October 2024, just one year later that number had dropped to 20,506.

But what are the reasons? Employers often say that entry-level positions are being eliminated because artificial intelligence is taking over their tasks. But that is only one aspect of the trend. While it is certainly true that traditional entry-level tasks such as research, data processing, or report writing are being automated, the tight economic situation is also a major contributor to the decline in young professional positions.

A ray of hope for young workers could be the continuing shortage of skilled workers, as numerous opportunities are opening up due to vacancies. And the general transformation of the labor market should not be viewed solely as a threat: While a general decline in job postings cannot be denied, the use of AI, new technological fields, and industrial transformation also bring a wide range of opportunities, albeit not in the short term.

We were also interested in these topics:

• Job-hopping is losing popularity: Employees’ willingness to change jobs is decreasing overall. While baby boomers’ willingness to change jobs remains at a low level—albeit with a slight upward trend—the decline is most pronounced among the younger generation. A key reason for these developments: the uncertain economic situation.

• Fewer and fewer apprentices: As figures from the Federal Statistical Office show, fewer apprentices began dual vocational training last year than in the previous year. It is also striking that women account for only about one-third of apprentices with new contracts. Experts cite a lack of guaranteed training positions and a shortage of suitable applicants, among other things, as possible causes for the decline.

• Clothes make the man: Deutsche Welle has profiled one of Europe’s most extraordinary jobs on YouTube. We head to Brussels, where the world-famous Manneken Pis is not only loved but also personally cared for and maintained.

This text first appeared as an editorial in the weekly politjobs newsletter. If you’d like to receive this newsletter with the latest jobs in the political sector directly via email every Wednesday, you can subscribe here.