He earned global attention for his role in Anatomy of a Fall, winning the Palm Dog prize for best canine performance at Cannes
entertainment1 hour ago
A campaign that uses narrative storytelling and social media to enable individuals to share the story of how they secured their first job has recently been rolled out in the UAE.
Launched by the Education For Employment (EFE), an organisation linking unemployed youth in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, #FirstJob campaign is aimed at helping youth understand that their first job may not be their 'dream job,' but it's an important step in getting there. #FirstJob uses the power of storytelling to help more Mena youth enter the world of work - a way to tackle youth unemployment.
According to EFE, since 2010, "youth unemployment rates in the Arab region have become the highest of any region in the world at over 27 per cent, with the percentage continuing to rise. A research by the Union of Arab Banks revealed that unemployed workers in the Middle East have risen to 120 million and EFE said 67 million of them are in the youth bracket. Compounding the problem is the fact that 72 per cent of CEOs in the Arab region say the lack of available talent is the second biggest business risk they take yet millions of youth are looking for their first job.
"Most companies are hesitant to hire young workers - even when they have the relevant skills - and many youth are unwilling to pursue other employment options, or do not know how," Jasmine Nahhas di Florio, senior vice president for strategy and partnerships at EFE, told Khaleej Times.
"Contrary to the belief that as long as you get education - like in engineering, journalism, medicine, and so on - you can get easily land your first job after graduation; sadly the education system in the region does not necessarily lead to employment," di Florio added.
She explained that this is because of the mismatch in the job market. "Young people don't have the right skills to get their first jobs and they also miss on soft skills like social connection," she added.
"We (EFE) exist in order to help unemployed young people in the Arab world get access to employment. After working for more than 10 years connecting unemployed Arab youth to work, we realised that the best way to help them get their first job is to get inspiration from young people you have been in the same situation before like them," she underlined.
So, how does it work?
Using video, photo and narrative storytelling, the campaign gives a platform for employers, youth and influencers to share the story of their first job and the role it played in helping them to reach their dreams.
Stories are also shared on social media targeting companies, foundations, institutions, media outlets, and other influencers seeking to support the youth. Campaign participants catalyse action by engaging young job seekers learn soft skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, confidence-building, setting goals and work ethics. They are also taught how to ace job interviews.
Job expectations of the youth are likewise addressed and they are taught that a job is more than just a paycheque.
"We widen up their (youth) horizons," di Florio said. "Some people who have a degree in engineering, for example, are also educated in sales, retail or other fields. After gaining soft skills, they take this route - different from their course in college - to get their first job at a major global brand and then secure a better role later."
Di Florio said that young people don't have to wait two to three years to get a job in the region because there are choices. They just need an inspiration or stepping stone to start their journey and this can be provided by young people who have been in the same situation before.
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