Direct from Washington, February 2009

Youth Employment Concerns

With the worst unemployment rate in 60 years registered by youth (ages 16-19) last summer, the new Obama Administration must provide targeted funding for youth workforce development, the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) has told Congressional leaders.

NYEC, which represents more than 250 youth-serving organizations, addressed a letter to leaders of both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and House that asked for $2 billion for youth workforce development to be included in any economic stimulus bill passed by Congress. The package would include education and training programs for out-of-school youth, summer jobs, and work experience.

Since 2001, NYEC pointed out, funding for youth employment services has been slashed by an "astounding" 33 percent ($454 million). This means that job training and employment services for many disconnected youth no longer are available. NYEC estimated there are 3.8 million youth who are disconnected from school and work.

In addition to the visible economic crisis facing the country, there is an "invisible one," NYEC told the lawmakers. "Millions of youth are not finding the opportunities they need to develop the academic and job skills they must have in order to succeed in today’s global economy," it told the Congressional leaders. "Investing in employment and training services for youth will provide both immediate economic stimulus and enduring benefits."

For more information on the NYEC legislative agenda, contact www.nyec.org.