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:

• 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/.