TOPIC FOR JANUARY 2011: YOUTH EMPLOYMENT (JOB READINESS AND WORK EXPERIENCE)

As the time approaches to begin considering how to structure and fund summer components of your youth employment (work experience) programs, we thought it might be helpful to offer some resources to nourish your thinking and planning process over the next few months.

ONLINE RESOURCES:
We cannot say enough great things about Philadelphia and their approach to youth employment.  Also listed on our Workforce page, we wanted to highlight "The WorkReady Classroom" as a free, on-line resource for:  download-able, step-by-step activities;  links to web-based resources;  rubrics to measure progress;  a form to document progress; recommended portfolio items;  and additional print resources.   The WorkReady Classroom is comprised of eleven domains, each with a set of competencies and achievement indicators necessary for a young person’s success in today’s workforce.  Basically anything and everything you need to operate a youth employment program!

LITERATURE REVIEW: 

"Building a Learning Agenda Around Disconnected Youth" by MDRC, March 2010
Funded by the Gates Foundation, this publication offers strategies for re-engaging disconnected youth that address the unique experiences of the range of disconnected youth (not a one size fits all group).  Based on a review of program evaluations, visits to innovative programs, hosting round-tables of youth practitioners, and discussions with policy experts and researchers, the writers outline what works:

• Focus on more than the GED:  1) GED is not viewed by the business community as the equivalent to a diploma, 2) youth need more time in programs and additional skills and supports, 3) transitioning them into post-secondary education/training is what creates significant economic outcomes.
• Youth development, youth development, youth development:  don't try to fix young people;  engage them, empower them and build on their skills.
• Relentless outreach:  street-level, emergency rooms, etc.
• Safe haven:  caring relationships, comfort, immediate support matter.
• Wrap-around services as part of a clearly-articulated plan:  individualized plans with services provided in-house or by partners.
• Celebrate success but be prepared for set-backs.

The report also addresses the role of cities:

1. Determine the scale of the need and address multiple risk factors for youth
2. Use political power to prioritize youth needs and align youth funding streams
3. Build linkages across sectors (nonprofits, education, business, juvenile justice, etc.)
4. Make a commitment to evaluation to determine which strategies produce the best outcomes for youth

For the persistently disconnected youth who may not volunteer for programs:

• Restructure GED programs to be aligned with post-secondary opportunities (academic and occupational).
• Use "leg up" strategies for lower-skilled, older youth for whom GED may not be a "realistic goal:"  combine vocational training with basic skill development.
• We need new strategies to engage "profoundly" disconnected youth that can be scaled up (highly successful grassroots efforts can only serve a small number of youth).

Kudos to San Francisco:   SF programs and policies are 

specifically referenced in this publication!