Why Are Youth Jobs Important?
Many people are surprised that so many young people see employment as a useful skill. While working with others does not necessarily mean becoming a successful adult, it does help youth develop interpersonal skills, which will prove beneficial in the future. Engaging in work-related activities teaches young people how to respect others and how to take responsibility for their actions. Youth employment programs and policies can make a difference in young people’s lives, but only if they’re well-designed and implemented.
Work matters for some youth but not for others
Research on the impact of work on youth shows that it has many positive effects. Some of these effects may be spurious and depend on how people are selected for work. Others are more important, depending on the background, social context, and academic promise of a youth. In any case, the importance of employment for some youth may outweigh the negative consequences for others. Here are some reasons why employment matters for some youth but not others.
Youth can be connected to meaningful employment opportunities through intermediary organizations.
A new study shows that intermediary organizations are able to help more than half of young adults find and sustain meaningful employment. These organizations believe that their success now will determine how well they do in an economic downturn. However, this study has some limitations. For example, some intermediaries only serve hard-to-employ populations. Ex-offenders might only get a fraction of the contract from intermediaries. Intermediaries that serve people with chronic barriers for employment will receive around 30 percent if they keep a high work rate.
There are many obstacles to the successful implementation of youth employment programs and policies.
Despite the availability of youth employment policies being commonplace, many barriers still exist, including insufficient access to jobs and summer school obligations. Multiple barriers often exist for youth to find employment, including academic success and health. We will be discussing some of the obstacles that prevent youth from pursuing careers. These problems are not exclusive to the United States. These issues are not unique to the United States.
Importance of evidence
Despite the fact that evidence on youth jobs is significant, it is often poor quality and scarce. A gap map with interactive evidence is available. The Covid-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the problem of global youth unemployment at 13%. In order to design and implement new policies and programs, evidence-based decision-making must be considered. This paper examines the role of evidence in the youth job market.
Importance of community-based partnership
Effective partnerships recognize the value of adult involvement and are selective about their participants. Youth often have diverse needs and skills and may not yet be ready to take on responsibility or leadership roles. Partnerships between youth and adults must be made up of people who value young people’s contributions, and who have the confidence to work for their interests. Here are some tips to help you form effective partnerships. First, find a common goal for the partners and young people. Second, ensure that the partners clearly define the roles and expectations for youth. They should not be afraid or embarrassed to hold the youth accountable.