Young people are often portrayed as disengaged, unrealistic or unwilling to work. But the evidence we see through our work tells a different story - one in which ambition remains strong, while access to opportunity is increasingly constrained. Structural barriers, not apathy, are driving disconnection from the labour market.
Ambition isn’t the problem - access is
Far from being disengaged, many young people demonstrate strong ambition and a willingness to work. Verian’s youth research in Germany shows high levels of confidence in achieving career goals, alongside a desire for stability and financial security in an uncertain world - 84% of young people say they are confident they will realise their career aspirations.
However, this confidence sits alongside a heightened awareness of economic uncertainty. In the recently published Milburn Report, Verian conducted qualitative research with 16-24-year-olds Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), not currently claiming health or disability benefits. The findings illustrated that young people today are navigating a labour market shaped by rising costs, housing insecurity and rapidly changing skills demands.
The contradiction is clear: a generation that believes in its future yet often feels locked out of it.
The “entry-level trap”
For many young people, the transition into work has become more complex. Entry-level roles increasingly require experience yet offer few opportunities to gain it.
Evidence from the UK’s Milburn Review highlights “broken entry points” into the labour market. These gaps disproportionately affect those without professional networks, financial support, or prior exposure to work, reinforcing existing inequalities.
“They did have opportunities and work experience at uni, but they were all unpaid and because I was working while at university, I felt it wasn’t really something I could do. There’s a lot of barriers for people who are from lower socio-economic backgrounds.”
– Respondent from the interview, Millburn Report 2026 (Verian)
This means that for many, talent and motivation are not the barriers - access is.
Dispelling the ‘lazy Gen Z’ narrative
Framing young people as unwilling to work masks deeper, systemic challenges. In reality, those outside the labour market often face overlapping barriers, including mental health challenges, gaps in education, poverty, and limited access to support.
In the UK, nearly one million young people are currently NEETs (Milburn Report, 2026). Time spent outside work or education can have long-term consequences for income, wellbeing and future prospects, making it increasingly difficult to re-engage.
The issue is structural. It cannot be solved by encouraging young people to “try harder” but requires systemic change.
Redefining what “good work” looks like
Young people’s expectations of work are also shifting. Security, fair pay and flexibility are no longer optional, they are essential.
These expectations reflect broader changes. Experiences such as the COVID-19 pandemic, rising living costs and growing awareness of mental health have reshaped how young people view work and life. Increasingly, the goal is not just employment, but meaningful and sustainable work that supports wellbeing as well as financial stability.
Data from the Shell Youth Study highlights these priorities, with high income (83%) and strong career opportunities (80%) seen as critical. Flexible working is also highly valued.
The AI-shaped labour market: opportunity or barrier?
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the world of work, bringing both opportunities and uncertainty. Many young people are already engaging with AI in their daily lives, with 69% in Germany believing it can simplify everyday tasks (Shell Youth Study 2024).
However, there are clear gaps in preparedness. While exposure to AI is high, formal training remains limited. Only a minority feel equipped to use these tools effectively, and nearly a third (31%) report feeling overwhelmed by the topic (Shell Youth Study 2024).
Globally, a lack of confidence and familiarity with AI points to a growing digital divide, highlighting the need for education systems to focus on adaptability and future-ready skills.
Beyond the labour market: the role of systems
The barriers young people face are not confined to the labour market but are embedded across systems. Education, health, welfare and skills provision all shape the transition into work.
Yet these systems are often fragmented, failing to provide the coordinated, wraparound support young people need. Fundamentally, the challenge is not just about creating jobs - it is about enabling participation.
Fundamentally, the issue is not just about creating jobs, it is about enabling participation.
Conclusion
Young people’s attitudes to work are evolving. They are ambitious, pragmatic and acutely aware of the challenges ahead but policy and public narratives have not kept pace.
The solution lies in improving access. This means creating clearer entry-level pathways, expanding meaningful paid work experience, aligning education with labour market needs, investing in digital and AI skills, and ensuring joined-up support that addresses structural barriers.
To move forward, we need to shift the focus from blaming individuals to fixing structures, listening to young people, and designing pathways that reflect both their ambitions and the realities they face.