Young and Unskilled in the U.S.
Who can be hired in a hot U.S. economy? Many of today's would-be employees are part of what some experts are calling "The Forgotten Half," a term from social researcher Daniel Yankelovich. They are the young people in the U.S. who have not attended college, and many of them have been losing ground even in a strong economy, according to a report from the American Youth Policy Forum.
Almost 10 million 18- to 24-year-olds who didn't attend college are doing worse today than their counterparts did at the end of the 1980s, according to this data. The Futurist magazine reports that these young people suffer serious labor-market problems compared with their more educated counterparts. Consider the following trend data:
What are the management implications for these trends? In a time when there's a serious shortage of skilled labor, U.S. companies may be paying a high price (in terms of higher wages, lost productivity, etc.) for the shortcomings of the nation's education system. In the long run, companies may benefit by outreach and training programs for undereducated young people.
UPS, for example, has developed an alliance with five colleges and high schools in Maryland to help high-risk students. Students develop workplace readiness skills, gain work experience, and learn about career opportunities. The company also offers students incentives to stay in school.
Textron Inc., of Providence, RI, has gone so far as to sponsor the first charter school in the state, one that targets economically disadvantaged teens who are in danger of dropping out of school. Textron has been influential in helping create a new curriculum that not only stresses academic skills but allows older students to participate in work-based learning at local businesses. Textron also helps students develop practical job-finding skills. For example, Textron HR specialists help students practice job interviews and write resumes. For its work, Textron has won The National Employer Leadership Council's School to Careers Company of the Year award.
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For more information on "The Forgotten Half Revisited," readers can find the American Youth Policy Forum's press release here.
Those interested in Textron's initiative can Click Here
Almost 10 million 18- to 24-year-olds who didn't attend college are doing worse today than their counterparts did at the end of the 1980s, according to this data. The Futurist magazine reports that these young people suffer serious labor-market problems compared with their more educated counterparts. Consider the following trend data:
1) Among 17- to 24-year-olds, 9.6% of those with 12 years of schooling were unemployed at the time of the study, compared with 3.2% of those with 16 or more years of education. Fully 15.3% of those with less than 12 years of education were unemployed.
2) The undereducated are more likely to be employed part time for economic reasons, work full time at a weekly wage below the four- person poverty line, and want a job but not be in the labor force. Yankelovich states that "prospects for young Americans without skills are as grim as prospects are glowing for those with the right skills."
What are the management implications for these trends? In a time when there's a serious shortage of skilled labor, U.S. companies may be paying a high price (in terms of higher wages, lost productivity, etc.) for the shortcomings of the nation's education system. In the long run, companies may benefit by outreach and training programs for undereducated young people.
UPS, for example, has developed an alliance with five colleges and high schools in Maryland to help high-risk students. Students develop workplace readiness skills, gain work experience, and learn about career opportunities. The company also offers students incentives to stay in school.
Textron Inc., of Providence, RI, has gone so far as to sponsor the first charter school in the state, one that targets economically disadvantaged teens who are in danger of dropping out of school. Textron has been influential in helping create a new curriculum that not only stresses academic skills but allows older students to participate in work-based learning at local businesses. Textron also helps students develop practical job-finding skills. For example, Textron HR specialists help students practice job interviews and write resumes. For its work, Textron has won The National Employer Leadership Council's School to Careers Company of the Year award.
====================================================
For more information on "The Forgotten Half Revisited," readers can find the American Youth Policy Forum's press release here.
Those interested in Textron's initiative can Click Here