Fast food work more attractive as jobs for the young disappear

Jobs once considered unattractive by young people now have long waiting lists with hundreds of applicants hoping to be hired.

This comes after the latest Household Labour Force Survey found that youths, aged between 15 to 24, are two to three times more likely to be unemployed than others.

The marketing manager for fast food giant Wendy’s, Fay Stretch, has noticed how competitive the job market is and confirms the chain has been inundated with job applications.

“A year ago we struggled to find young workers as fast food restaurants were seen as the bottom of the heap, but now most youths are prepared to work for us.”

Stretch says at least a quarter of the company’s workers are in the youth age bracket.

“Youth workers generally have lots of energy and are willing to learn. However they can lack life experience which comes naturally to older workers.”

Seventeen-year-old Gene Merrylees was let go from his electrical apprenticeship before it had even started.

“The recession hit at the wrong time as there was simply no longer enough work to hire me.”

Merrylees has reluctantly returned to school to complete Year 13 and says he is not surprised by the high youth unemployment figures, admitting many students need training.

“Students entering the work force straight from school typically go into low skilled jobs or learning positions and businesses currently can’t afford to employ these sorts of workers.”