The Department of Labor has released a report that found that the 2009 Recovery Act Summer Youth Employment Initiative was largely successful in connecting young workers with employment experiences. Overall, 317,000 young people took part in the initiative.
"Reinvesting in America's Youth: Lessons from the 2009 Recovery Act Summer Youth Employment Initiative" was developed by Mathematica Policy Research and funded by the Department of Labor. It analyzes monthly performance data submitted to ETA by states and looks closely at the experiences of 20 select local areas. Among the report's findings:
• Youths were placed in summer jobs, with almost 13 percent of enrollees placed in work experiences outside summer months. Sixty-three percent of participants were in school, largely ages 18 or younger.
• Nationwide, local areas reported that nearly 75 percent of youths achieved a measurable increase in their work readiness skills while participating.
• Available data show a completion rate for summer work of greater than 82 percent.
• Employers interviewed for this study were overwhelmingly positive about the initiative. They reported that the experience of mentoring a new employee was worth the effort and almost unanimously agreed that they would participate again if given the opportunity.
Many youths were enthusiastic about being able to help their families in tough economic times. They also reported that, in the absence of their summer jobs, they would be competing with more experienced adult workers for jobs or doing nothing productive over their summer breaks.
Training and Employment Notice 33-09 provides additional information on the release and contents of the report.
For information on CSC's Summer Youth programs, please check the blog archives and our website.
