The national youth unemployment rate is at a record low of 26%. Young people between the ages of 16-24 are missing vital opportunities to not just make extra money until they begin their "real" jobs, but they are losing critical opportunities to gain crucial work experience and enter into the workforce.
When young people are not exposed to work experiences throughout their teens and early 20's they do not learn the important work skill lessons that make them viable, reliable employees or entrepreneurs. According to Jack Wuest, executive director of Alternative Schools Network, "If they don't have jobs now, they don't know how to work, and if they don't know how to work, they're going to be much less effective and productive workers in their adult lives."
The impact of an ill-prepared workforce impacts not only the economy but the public health system, public safety and of course, the justice system. This should give us all the motivation that we need to ensure that young people receive work and work experiences. We must create, promote and encourage internships, work exploration experiences and summer/part time employment. The future of not only young people, but our very quality of life depends on the viability of our youth. Let's assure a healthy future for them.
For more information, read the entire story at: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=154584.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Summer Employment Forecast for 2012
2010 and 2011 showed record lows for employment for youth and young adults. Youth unemployment reached World War II records of 41% in some areas of the country. When the economy is suffering, young people are the first to be shut out of employment opportunities. When this happens, the impact on future employment for young people in the workforce is exponential. From the lack of spending in the economy (young people ages 14-24 represent an enormous of percentage of consumer purchases) to the lack of skill attainment and ability to gain future employment as an adult, high rates of youth unemployment impact the entire nation.
To address this critical issue, President Obama has launched "The Summer Jobs +" program. This program is a "new call-to-action for businesses, non-profits, and government to provide pathways to employment for low-income and disconnected youth in the summer of 2012." In the midst of the congressional constipation of doing any meaningful work, this program is the President's way of moving around this nonsense and jump-starting the employment lag. This program brings together the private and public sector to get young people working and participating in the economy.
With national employers already on-board and committed such as JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, UPS, AT&T, The Gap Inc, Jamba Juice, and many others, this summer will prove to be much more productive for young people.
The companies who have committed to participate will do so through one of three pathways. Through:
To address this critical issue, President Obama has launched "The Summer Jobs +" program. This program is a "new call-to-action for businesses, non-profits, and government to provide pathways to employment for low-income and disconnected youth in the summer of 2012." In the midst of the congressional constipation of doing any meaningful work, this program is the President's way of moving around this nonsense and jump-starting the employment lag. This program brings together the private and public sector to get young people working and participating in the economy.
With national employers already on-board and committed such as JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, UPS, AT&T, The Gap Inc, Jamba Juice, and many others, this summer will prove to be much more productive for young people.
The companies who have committed to participate will do so through one of three pathways. Through:
- Life Skills Development activities (soft skills training)
- Work Skills Development activities (which include internships, mentoring and job shadowing)
- Learn and Earn activities (on-the-job skills while earning wages
Understanding the critical importance of youth employment, we applaud the President's efforts and encourage our colleagues to get involved and hire a youth! To read more on this initiative visit: http://www.dol.gov/summerjobs/.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
New Year, New Start, New You!
So much good stuff has been happening with the Hire Learning crew since we last posted! We've moved into a new location in Chicago Heights, we've re-organized our service offerings to meet the most need of our population and we've got a new and improved website launching within a week!!
The new year is a great time to re-commit to yourself and to those goals that you want to set for yourself. For young people who have the rest of their lives ahead of them, future planning is often something that goes unattended to. Well, tomorrow creeps up on us fast and before we know it, we've gone years without moving toward those things that we've said we want in life.
Well now is a great time to put a plan of action into place to reach those goals. If your goal happens to be finding a great career, Hire Learning can surely help with that! We are launching the Digital Access Program that will train students to become certified computer technicians, and place them with our corporate partners - not just in jobs, but in life-changing careers. In just 6 months, our students will go from unemployed/under-employed to trained and working in one of the most in-demand fields available - technology.
The new year is the best time to decide to move your life and career in the direction that you want it to go. Call Hire Learning today at 708-856-0623 for information on orientation days and start days!
Here's to a prosperous new year, new start and new you!!
The new year is a great time to re-commit to yourself and to those goals that you want to set for yourself. For young people who have the rest of their lives ahead of them, future planning is often something that goes unattended to. Well, tomorrow creeps up on us fast and before we know it, we've gone years without moving toward those things that we've said we want in life.
Well now is a great time to put a plan of action into place to reach those goals. If your goal happens to be finding a great career, Hire Learning can surely help with that! We are launching the Digital Access Program that will train students to become certified computer technicians, and place them with our corporate partners - not just in jobs, but in life-changing careers. In just 6 months, our students will go from unemployed/under-employed to trained and working in one of the most in-demand fields available - technology.
The new year is the best time to decide to move your life and career in the direction that you want it to go. Call Hire Learning today at 708-856-0623 for information on orientation days and start days!
Here's to a prosperous new year, new start and new you!!
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