Getting a first foothold on the career ladder has never been easy for young workers.

But in the past, that path was more visible, with advanced economies such as New Zealand’s relying on entry-level roles to bring in new talent and sustain the workforce over time.

A glance at recent job statistics suggests today’s young people face a different reality. The unemployment rate among New Zealand’s 15- to 24-year-olds is around 15% – higher than in recent years and roughly triple that of the wider working-age population.

Many of the roles through which young people have entered the workforce – especially junior office and administrative jobs – have been shrinking.

With this shift has come the erosion of a function of the labour market that is arguably just as important as output. These on-ramps to the workforce have also taught tomorrow’s leaders how organisations work, how judgment develops and how capability is built through practice.

Take them away, and the problem facing the economy becomes much more serious than........

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