Employers’ and employment counselors’ perceptions of desirable skills for entry-level positions for adolescents: how does it differ for youth with disabilities?

Abstract

Today’s youth face high unemployment and other labor-market challenges; these challenges are often worse for youth with disabilities. This paper explores what employers and employment counselors look for when hiring youth into entry-level jobs and whether they believe youth with disabilities have fewer skills than those without. This study used a qualitative design with a purposive sample of 19 youth employers and employment counselors. Our findings show that youth employers and employment counselors identify the following traits as enhancing young workers’ employability: a well-prepared job applicant; job fit and a good attitude; and soft skills. We find youth with disabilities are perceived to be at a disadvantage. Consistent with a rising body of research, the emphasis on soft skills, and pliability, opens the door for employment discrimination.

Keywords:

• youth
• adolescent
• entry-level jobs
• employer perceptions
• disability
• soft skills

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada. We would like to thank Meghann Proulx, Finola D’Souza, Kelsey Bick and Samantha Burns for their research assistance and for the participants who took part in the project.