80% of companies are willing to work with high school graduates

According to an analysis conducted by Cristina Profeanu, 80% of the companies in the client portfolio of the human resources agency cristinaprofeanu.ro are willing to accept students aged 16 to 22 for internships or summer placements. These companies aim to fill the shortage of personnel during the summer period, especially for light tasks. However, despite this opportunity, Romania ranks among the last in Europe in terms of employing young people.

This finding highlights a discrepancy between the demand and supply of job opportunities for young people in Romania. Although there are possibilities to gain practical experience during the summer, the employment rate of young people is relatively low compared to other European countries, say recruitment experts.

The analysis comes in the context of the graduation rate in this year’s Baccalaureate exam remaining above 70% for all cohorts, marking the second consecutive year in the past 11 years.

“Education plays a major role in the labor market, influencing both individual preparation and skills, as well as the perception of work. From a young age, we are programmed to associate work with a difficult and unpleasant activity because we often hear from parents that we have to go to work and that it is a tough task we have to fulfill. This negative perspective on work can influence our attitude and motivation in our careers,” says Cristina Profeanu, the founder of the recruitment agency cristinaprofeanu.ro.

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In Romania, there is also a low tendency to employ young people during their university studies. According to Eurostat, only 2% of students work during their studies, compared to a European average of 23%. Experts believe that this can be attributed to factors such as financial support from parents, lack of information about available opportunities, or even restrictions related to employing young people without work permits.

However, the willingness of companies to hire high school graduates also comes with a series of criteria that condition the eligibility of young people based on certain skills. Companies expect young people to have PC operating skills, at least the Microsoft Office package, a high level of English proficiency, and a desire to learn.

At the same time, companies are willing to offer young people salaries ranging from 950 lei for part-time programs to 1900 lei for full-time programs, within internships or practical placements. 40% of these companies are even open to hiring young people if they perform well during the probationary period.

Human resources experts believe that young people entering the job market at an early age can have a positive impact on both their own careers and the performance of companies.

“Through internships or summer placements, young people can directly experience the work environment, familiarize themselves with the specific requirements and procedures of the industry they want to develop in, and develop valuable professional relationships. Additionally, these temporary employment opportunities can give young people a chance to discover their passions and interests, guiding them in choosing a future career. In addition to gaining practical experience and developing professional skills, young people bring fresh energy, innovative ideas, and new perspectives to companies. For companies, involvement in internship programs or summer placements offers the opportunity to identify and recruit potential future employees, contributing to the development of a strong talent pool,” says Cristina Profeanu, the founder of the recruitment agency cristinaprofeanu.ro.