McDonald's Empowers Swedish Students with Career Guidance

The future is bright? Tens of thousands of young people are currently contemplating their next steps after graduation. For some, it's an exciting time. However, many lack sufficient knowledge about the working world, according to a new survey.

– To assist the youth, we have just sent out 'The Green Envelope' to third-year high school students across Sweden. Inside, we offer 10 practical tips for a successful start in the workforce, says Stina Stenquist, HR Manager at McDonald's Sweden.

It's not easy being new to the job market, something McDonald's knows well. Not only is it Sweden's largest restaurant chain, but also one of the country's biggest youth employers. Over the years, McDonald's has been the first job for hundreds of thousands of young people.

– We know that many young people feel uncertain and unprepared for what working life actually entails. They find it difficult to understand what is expected of them at a workplace, as well as their rights as employees, says Stina Stenquist.

70 Percent Lack Sufficient Knowledge

This uncertainty is also confirmed by a new survey conducted by Prime and United Minds among nearly 500 high school students aged 16 to 20. It shows that about half of the students feel they have insufficient knowledge about working life. Nearly half also do not know where to seek help, and 87 percent wish that high school had better prepared them.

The survey also reveals that, on average, only 36 percent of high school students have enough knowledge to correctly answer questions about labor law. Meanwhile, 38 percent of students do not know what a collective agreement is. Among those already in the workforce, one in four lacks knowledge about what a collective agreement entails.

To give young people a better start in working life, McDonald's is currently sending out 'The Green Envelope' to all 123,206 final-year high school students in Sweden. The envelope contains information about working life, how to apply for jobs, employee rights, and employer expectations.

– This is the third consecutive year we are sending out the green envelope, and it has always been appreciated. Not only by the youth but also by their parents. When our young employees are better prepared, they feel better and perform better. So the green envelope benefits us all, says Stina Stenquist.

Security and Stability Are Important

McDonald's strives to be a relevant and fair employer that educates its young employees and helps them grow. Security and stability are important prerequisites for this.

– There is a lot of uncertainty in the world today, and when the world feels shaky and unpredictable, we can be a stable point. We are a serious and reliable employer with collective agreements, and we treat all employees with respect regardless of age, background, education, and language.

– We also offer opportunities to grow, develop, and build a career – step by step in a structured way. We do not compromise on this.