Today, nearly a third of young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 are experiencing depression. This alarming statistic is worsening as the health crisis continues. For several months, young people have been urging the public to act and find solutions, highlighted by the protests last March to avoid becoming the 'sacrificed generation,' the calls for improved financial conditions for students, a basic income suggested by France Stratégie, and support from several political figures. These educational conditions have resulted in increased dropouts and withdrawals — casting a shadow over their future. Young people are unprepared for the world today and even more so for the workforce that awaits them.

Support Exists, But There's a Lack of a Comprehensive Strategy

Many initiatives have been undertaken by associations over recent months to assist young people in need. They have become key players, essential in many students' lives, essentially filling roles typically held by public services. Meanwhile, governmental action still lacks a true strategy. Measures like hiring incentives, emergency financial aid, 20,000 student jobs to help dropouts, strengthening the Youth Guarantee, €1 meals at CROUS, involvement in the SNU, and so forth represent a patchwork of aid without a clear, medium-term direction. Government initiatives remain fragmented and would benefit from being part of a comprehensive interministerial project to counteract the very harmful effects of COVID-19 on the future of young people in the workforce.

Despite efforts to communicate with this demographic, the government fails to convince. The hashtag #etudiantspasinfluenceurs has highlighted students' frustration with the government's latest PR stunt involving personalities who do not represent young people in France, nor are they students.

And What About Businesses?

What role can and should businesses play in this context? How can they contribute to a more stable future for younger generations? What do young people really expect from them? Are businesses more trusted than the government?

Since January, companies have been mobilizing locally by involving their employees, providing meals, and offering job opportunities, such as the Pénélope Group in March. Some organizations are promoting food drives collected by associations and volunteers, like Macif with Diffuz or with its commitment to professional integration, but these remain in the minority and are short-term actions.

In another context, the 'open to work' symbol or other messages shared on LinkedIn are individual solidarity initiatives to leverage one's network and communicate. These are helpful connections but do not replace a comprehensive strategy led by a company.

Supporting Young People Long-Term in Business...

Certainly, companies are encouraged to hire with government incentives, but they can go further and think long-term. These solidarity actions address economic interests of the moment without offering broader support for the French youth. They are a critical link to ensuring today's youth—who will become tomorrow's workforce—have a robust economic future.

All businesses need to engage now by helping these young people build a new society. Without connecting with this youth, how will they entice them to join? How can social cohesion between stakeholders be created? How can businesses continue to grow?

This isn't just a concern for mission-driven companies but for all companies. They should aim to build a society with better cohesion among players by creating strong, lasting interdependencies and mutual interests.

Businesses must assume responsibility to ensure diversity in their recruiting processes, allowing students who haven't had the same opportunities as in previous years to secure jobs, educate them, and provide them with avenues for success, thereby advancing the company.

... A Win-Win Strategy

The benefits for companies taking this approach are numerous:

• a positive reputation for offering future prospects,

• diverse recruitment with strong candidates by providing long-term pathways,

• a positive impact, allowing everyone a chance to succeed.

Business mobilization should focus on creating value—not merely monetary—but social and human value as well. This is precisely why the state, as the guarantor of harmony and social peace, the sole legitimate and responsible entity, must ensure that measures implemented both in the public and private spheres address the challenges of protecting youth. Control and regulation are necessary to balance possible system imbalances and ensure that we do not sacrifice an entire generation on the altar of laissez-faire.