YOUTH IN THE LABOUR MARKET: THE ROLE OF EMPLOYERS AS AGENTS OF FLEXIBLE CAREER PATHWAYS AND INFORMAL LEARNING

Abstract

In the context of labor market transformation driven by digitalization, the advancement of artificial intelligence, and growing uncertainty, the resilience and adaptability of young professionals have become critically important. This article draws on a series of expert interviews with representatives from various sectors of the economy. The aim of the study is to identify the key factors influencing the professional sustainability of young people and to construct a corresponding factor model.

The analysis focuses on the role of employers as active agents in shaping both the labor market and the career trajectories of young professionals. Today, employers not only create demand for specific skills and attributes within the higher education system but increasingly contribute to their development through diverse, mobile forms of non-formal education - including mentoring, internal training initiatives, and support for external learning formats. These practices reflect a growing need for the rapid and targeted adaptation of young workers to the evolving demands of the labor market.

The findings reveal structural gaps between labor market expectations and the actual competencies of young professionals. Particular attention is paid to informal learning pathways and their role in reducing barriers to labor market integration, as well as to the communication channels between job seekers and employers. Additionally, the study highlights the rising significance of non-formal education providers as new actors in the infrastructure of professional development. A balanced combination of flexibility, content, and quality in training - enabled by the participation of various educational actors - is emerging as a prerequisite for the successful integration of young professionals into the modern workforce.