Latest news with #entrylevel
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
The Guardian view on the graduate jobs crunch: AI must not be allowed to eclipse young talent
As annual degree ceremonies take place on campuses across the country this month, new graduates will doubtless be turning their thoughts to enjoying some stress-free time off. Given the current state of the labour market, some may be forced to make that break a long one. For university leavers, these are worrying times. A mounting pile of data suggests that accessing the kind of entry-level jobs that traditionally put degree holders on a path to professional success is becoming ever harder. One report published last month by the job-search site Indeed found that the market for young people fresh out of university is tougher than at any time since 2018. Compared with last year, the number of jobs advertised for recent graduates is down 33%. Some of the squeeze can be put down to a general slowdown in hiring, as employers opt for caution in an unpredictable, growth-starved economic climate. Another analysis, published this week, found that the number of entry-level jobs on offer throughout the labour market has fallen. But the steepest drop-off appears to be in professional occupations, where the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) may be beginning to affect the bottom rungs of the white-collar career ladder. According to some analysts, a growing number of companies are using AI to perform many of the collative, summarising or research-heavy kind of tasks that young graduates might previously have done. IBM's human resources department now deploys AI to perform 94% of routine tasks, including performance reviews and development plans. Other employers may be hiring fewer graduates than in the past on the assumption that the use of AI will transform their productivity. For a graduate cohort whose education was blighted by the pandemic, and which is burdened by an average student debt of about £45,000, such developments risk stunting careers before they have begun. Recruitment systems are steadily being transformed through the introduction of AI-driven sifting processes, in which applications are rejected without a human judgment being made. A sustained contraction of the graduate job market, as pathways into professional careers are shortsightedly shut down in the name of cost savings, would further undermine trust between the generations at a time when it is already in short supply. The technology minister, Peter Kyle, has urged businesses and employees to 'act now' in gaining AI skills or risk being left behind, and the government hopes to collaborate with tech companies to deliver training to 7.5 million workers. But a focus on those hoping to enter the digitised workplace is also clearly needed. The evidence that entry-level jobs in areas such as law, finance and consulting are becoming scarcer should set alarm bells ringing both in Westminster and in boardrooms. Politically and economically, the country cannot afford to waste the acquired skills, creativity and dynamism of those who have actually come of age in the digitised world. That may mean companies eventually reimagining the spectrum of early career opportunities that can be offered to recent graduates. But business and government should make it a priority to ensure that they are given the openings and encouragement they need in a rapidly transforming environment. Innovations such as ChatGPT have become embedded in everyday life at vertiginous speed. But their benefits must not come at the expense of the young talent that will be crucial to shaping our future. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
The Guardian
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
The Guardian view on the graduate jobs crunch: AI must not be allowed to eclipse young talent
As annual degree ceremonies take place on campuses across the country this month, new graduates will doubtless be turning their thoughts to enjoying some stress-free time off. Given the current state of the labour market, some may be forced to make that break a long one. For university leavers, these are worrying times. A mounting pile of data suggests that accessing the kind of entry-level jobs that traditionally put degree holders on a path to professional success is becoming ever harder. One report published last month by the job-search site Indeed found that the market for young people fresh out of university is tougher than at any time since 2018. Compared with last year, the number of jobs advertised for recent graduates is down 33%. Some of the squeeze can be put down to a general slowdown in hiring, as employers opt for caution in an unpredictable, growth-starved economic climate. Another analysis, published this week, found that the number of entry-level jobs on offer throughout the labour market has fallen. But the steepest drop-off appears to be in professional occupations, where the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) may be beginning to affect the bottom rungs of the white-collar career ladder. According to some analysts, a growing number of companies are using AI to perform many of the collative, summarising or research-heavy kind of tasks that young graduates might previously have done. IBM's human resources department now deploys AI to perform 94% of routine tasks, including performance reviews and development plans. Other employers may be hiring fewer graduates than in the past on the assumption that the use of AI will transform their productivity. For a graduate cohort whose education was blighted by the pandemic, and which is burdened by an average student debt of about £45,000, such developments risk stunting careers before they have begun. Recruitment systems are steadily being transformed through the introduction of AI-driven sifting processes, in which applications are rejected without a human judgment being made. A sustained contraction of the graduate job market, as pathways into professional careers are shortsightedly shut down in the name of cost savings, would further undermine trust between the generations at a time when it is already in short supply. The technology minister, Peter Kyle, has urged businesses and employees to 'act now' in gaining AI skills or risk being left behind, and the government hopes to collaborate with tech companies to deliver training to 7.5 million workers. But a focus on those hoping to enter the digitised workplace is also clearly needed. The evidence that entry-level jobs in areas such as law, finance and consulting are becoming scarcer should set alarm bells ringing both in Westminster and in boardrooms. Politically and economically, the country cannot afford to waste the acquired skills, creativity and dynamism of those who have actually come of age in the digitised world. That may mean companies eventually reimagining the spectrum of early career opportunities that can be offered to recent graduates. But business and government should make it a priority to ensure that they are given the openings and encouragement they need in a rapidly transforming environment. Innovations such as ChatGPT have become embedded in everyday life at vertiginous speed. But their benefits must not come at the expense of the young talent that will be crucial to shaping our future.
Globe and Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Frontline Hospitality Jobs Boom in 2025, OysterLink Finds - Management Hiring Lags Behind
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2025) - A new hiring trends report from OysterLink, a hospitality job platform, reveals that entry-level hospitality jobs have seen the largest gains in absolute numbers since 2020, while mid-level and management roles are growing more gradually - often from smaller employment bases. OysterLink To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Drawing from five years of wage and employment data across the hospitality sector, the report highlights a clear shift: restaurants and hotels are adding tens of thousands of new frontline roles, such as bartenders, cooks, and dishwashers, to meet renewed demand. Bartender positions alone grew by over 259,000 jobs between 2020 and 2024 - a 53% jump - while line cooks added more than 340,000 new roles. By contrast, mid-level roles such as event planners and concierges grew at a slower pace. Although management roles, including restaurant and hotel managers, saw an average growth of around 27%, the total number of new management positions was significantly lower in volume. Combined, restaurant and hotel managers added just under 60,000 new roles. "The story isn't just about percentages - it's about scale," said Milos Eric, founder and general manager at OysterLink. "Frontline jobs are fueling the recovery of the hospitality sector. If you're looking to enter the industry, there's never been more opportunity. If you're already in, now's the time to grow and move up." Entry-Level Roles: Wage Growth and Employee Growth Breakdown (2020-2024) Job Title 2020 Wage 2024 Wage Wage Growth 2020 Employees 2024 Employees Employee Growth Bartender $28,910 $39,880 +37.99% 486,720 745,610 +53.15% Cook $29,530 $37,730 +27.74% 1,109,650 1,452,130 +30.86% Dishwasher $25,600 $33,220 +29.77% 395,660 471,670 +19.21% Waiter $27,470 $38,360 +39.69% 1,944,240 2,302,690 +18.43% Fast-Food Worker $24,540 $31,350 +27.74% 3,450,120 3,780,930 +9.58% Average wage growth: 32.99% Average employee growth: 26.25% Mid-Level Roles: Wage Growth and Employee Growth Breakdown (2020-2024) Job Title 2020 Wage 2024 Wage Wage Growth 2020 Employees 2024 Employees Employee Growth Concierge $35,310 $40,770 +15.45% 36,800 44,200 +20.11% Event Planner $55,890 $65,090 +16.45% 109,800 134,670 +22.63% Host/Hostess $24,800 $32,030 +29.07% 316,700 427,150 +34.86% Housekeeper $28,010 $36,180 +29.20% 795,590 854,910 +7.46% Average wage growth: 22.54% Average employee growth: 21.77% Management-Level Roles: Wage Growth and Employee Growth Breakdown (2020-2024) Job Title 2020 Wage 2024 Wage Wage Growth 2020 Employees 2024 Employees Employee Growth Restaurant Manager $61,000 $72,370 +18.62% 197,010 244,230 +23.98% Hotel Manager $65,270 $77,460 +18.69% 31,790 41,350 +30.04% Average wage growth: 18.66% Average employee growth: 27.01% What This Means for Aspiring Managers The flattening of management hiring doesn't mean those roles are disappearing - it means the route to get there is shifting. Instead of hiring externally for supervisory roles, many employers are opting to promote from within, rewarding loyalty, hands-on experience, and soft skills over formal qualifications. That's good news for newcomers: entry-level staff now have a faster track to higher-paying, stable careers - if they're willing to stay and grow. "It's no longer a ladder. It's an escalator," said Eric. "Start as a host or bartender, and within two to three years, you could be assistant manager. Just upskill on the job and show leadership early." This internal mobility also allows employers to cut onboarding costs and invest in staff who already understand the culture and expectations of the role. Upskilling Is the New Job Security While base-level wages are growing steadily across nearly all entry-level roles, workers looking for long-term stability will need more than just technical skills. Emotional intelligence, inventory management, scheduling tools, and a customer-first mindset are becoming essential for securing promotions and negotiating raises. With more than 900,000 projected openings for fast-food workers and 134,600 for bartenders each year through 2033, the window for getting in is wide open. But competition for the best shifts, highest-paying tips, and management-track roles is intensifying. About OysterLink OysterLink is a leading job platform dedicated to the hospitality industry. We connect restaurants, hotels, and hospitality employers with skilled candidates across the U.S. and internationally. With job listings, including bartender jobs in New York City and waiter jobs in Miami, industry insights, and career resources, OysterLink helps professionals build rewarding careers in hospitality. Currently, OysterLink attracts over 400,000 monthly visitors and continues to grow steadily. For more information, visit or contact PR Rep Ana at ana@
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Frontline Hospitality Jobs Boom in 2025, OysterLink Finds - Management Hiring Lags Behind
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2025) - A new hiring trends report from OysterLink, a hospitality job platform, reveals that entry-level hospitality jobs have seen the largest gains in absolute numbers since 2020, while mid-level and management roles are growing more gradually - often from smaller employment bases. OysterLinkTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Drawing from five years of wage and employment data across the hospitality sector, the report highlights a clear shift: restaurants and hotels are adding tens of thousands of new frontline roles, such as bartenders, cooks, and dishwashers, to meet renewed demand. Bartender positions alone grew by over 259,000 jobs between 2020 and 2024 - a 53% jump - while line cooks added more than 340,000 new roles. By contrast, mid-level roles such as event planners and concierges grew at a slower pace. Although management roles, including restaurant and hotel managers, saw an average growth of around 27%, the total number of new management positions was significantly lower in volume. Combined, restaurant and hotel managers added just under 60,000 new roles. "The story isn't just about percentages - it's about scale," said Milos Eric, founder and general manager at OysterLink. "Frontline jobs are fueling the recovery of the hospitality sector. If you're looking to enter the industry, there's never been more opportunity. If you're already in, now's the time to grow and move up." Entry-Level Roles: Wage Growth and Employee Growth Breakdown (2020-2024) Job Title 2020 Wage 2024 Wage Wage Growth 2020 Employees 2024 Employees Employee Growth Bartender $28,910 $39,880 +37.99% 486,720 745,610 +53.15% Cook $29,530 $37,730 +27.74% 1,109,650 1,452,130 +30.86% Dishwasher $25,600 $33,220 +29.77% 395,660 471,670 +19.21% Waiter $27,470 $38,360 +39.69% 1,944,240 2,302,690 +18.43% Fast-Food Worker $24,540 $31,350 +27.74% 3,450,120 3,780,930 +9.58% Average wage growth: 32.99%Average employee growth: 26.25% Mid-Level Roles: Wage Growth and Employee Growth Breakdown (2020-2024) Job Title 2020 Wage 2024 Wage Wage Growth 2020 Employees 2024 Employees Employee Growth Concierge $35,310 $40,770 +15.45% 36,800 44,200 +20.11% Event Planner $55,890 $65,090 +16.45% 109,800 134,670 +22.63% Host/Hostess $24,800 $32,030 +29.07% 316,700 427,150 +34.86% Housekeeper $28,010 $36,180 +29.20% 795,590 854,910 +7.46% Average wage growth: 22.54%Average employee growth: 21.77% Management-Level Roles: Wage Growth and Employee Growth Breakdown (2020-2024) Job Title 2020 Wage 2024 Wage Wage Growth 2020 Employees 2024 Employees Employee Growth Restaurant Manager $61,000 $72,370 +18.62% 197,010 244,230 +23.98% Hotel Manager $65,270 $77,460 +18.69% 31,790 41,350 +30.04% Average wage growth: 18.66%Average employee growth: 27.01% What This Means for Aspiring Managers The flattening of management hiring doesn't mean those roles are disappearing - it means the route to get there is shifting. Instead of hiring externally for supervisory roles, many employers are opting to promote from within, rewarding loyalty, hands-on experience, and soft skills over formal qualifications. That's good news for newcomers: entry-level staff now have a faster track to higher-paying, stable careers - if they're willing to stay and grow. "It's no longer a ladder. It's an escalator," said Eric. "Start as a host or bartender, and within two to three years, you could be assistant manager. Just upskill on the job and show leadership early." This internal mobility also allows employers to cut onboarding costs and invest in staff who already understand the culture and expectations of the role. Upskilling Is the New Job Security While base-level wages are growing steadily across nearly all entry-level roles, workers looking for long-term stability will need more than just technical skills. Emotional intelligence, inventory management, scheduling tools, and a customer-first mindset are becoming essential for securing promotions and negotiating raises. With more than 900,000 projected openings for fast-food workers and 134,600 for bartenders each year through 2033, the window for getting in is wide open. But competition for the best shifts, highest-paying tips, and management-track roles is intensifying. About OysterLink OysterLink is a leading job platform dedicated to the hospitality industry. We connect restaurants, hotels, and hospitality employers with skilled candidates across the U.S. and internationally. With job listings, including bartender jobs in New York City and waiter jobs in Miami, industry insights, and career resources, OysterLink helps professionals build rewarding careers in hospitality. Currently, OysterLink attracts over 400,000 monthly visitors and continues to grow steadily. For more information, visit or contact PR Rep Ana at ana@ Media ContactAna DemidovaPR Representativepress@ To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Top OpenAI exec is skeptical of Dario Amodei's prediction that AI will wipe out white-collar jobs
OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap doesn't see "evidence" of AI decimating the white-collar entry-level job market. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei sparked debate last month with his dire prediction for such employees. Lightcap said he hoped Amodei would take "an evidence-based approach" when making such predictions. OpenAI doesn't see the sky falling on the white-collar job market like its competitor Anthropic does. "We've seen no evidence of this," OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap said during a live taping of The New York Times' "Hard Fork" podcast. Lightcap was asked specifically about Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's recent prediction that artificial intelligence will wipe out 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs within the next five years. "Dario is a scientist, and I would hope that he takes an evidence-based approach to these types of things," Lightcap said. OpenAI, Lightcap said, sees no evidence of impending doom for such employees. "We work with every business under the sun," he said. "We look at the problem and opportunity of deploying AI into every company on earth, and we have yet to see any evidence that people are kind of wholesale replacing entry-level jobs." Last month, Amodei told Axios he was making the prediction to motivate government and his competitors to prepare for what's to come. A spokesperson for Anthropic did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider "Most of them are unaware that this is about to happen," Amodei said. "It sounds crazy, and people just don't believe it." Some executives, including the leaders of Shopify and Duolingo, have said they want managers to show that AI cannot fill new roles. Among the leading names in tech, there's considerable debate about what the future will hold. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is also more optimistic that AI will reshape jobs, rather than take them. LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman thinks we're underestimating AI's impact even if it's not a "bloodbath." Like Huang, Lightcap does see a major shift coming, but he believes society "can manage through it." OpenAI CEO Sam Altman echoed Lightcap, saying that history shows innovations like AI will lead to more job creation. Altman said the kind of immediate upheaval Amodei predicted isn't realistic either. "I think that is not how society really works," said Altman, who joined Lightcap for the panel interview. "Even if the technology were ready for that, the inertia of society, which will be helpful in this case, there is a lot of mass there." Read the original article on Business Insider
