Would it be fair to say it was easier to get a job 10-40 years ago?

Alot of people are complaining about the young unemployment and consider most 18-25 unemployed youths to be lazy etc. I'm sure in the 70s, 80s, 90s there would have been much more vacancies and less strict on what you need to be a security guard for example. Now a days you need a security license that costs �370 just too keep the local supermarket safe. Years ago you could just apply and get the job within a week.. right? That is just one example of the many job opportunity's that were open then and not now unless you have money. Of course the mass amount of people entering the UK from Europe as well does not help, I know we hear this all the time but I would like to hear some of your views on the job system back then.