A new study from the New England Journal of Public Policy focuses on the state of youth unemployment, specifically how the recession disproportionately affected workers age 16-24, especially Latino and African American youths (New England Journal of Public Policy, “Global and Local Youth Unemployment: Dislocation and Pathways,” Volume 25, Issue 1). Even now as the economy continues to slowly climb, these workers are twice as likely to be unemployed compared to adults. According to the study,
The chance of finding employment depends largely on one’s employment history. Employment history is especially important for young people. National studies have shown that early employment experiences shape a young person’s earning potential for the rest of his or her life.
The sobering observation here is that the recession may not be a temporary problem for many young workers, but could have repercussions in later years.
The study attempts to offer some light at the end of the tunnel. It summarizes the Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board’s recommendations, which include increasing the number and quality of work experiences and career exploration activities for in-school and out-of-school youths. This recommendation is based on the belief that working at a young age increases a youth’s chances of finding good employment later in life. “Research has shown that a teenager who does not have a job during high school is more likely to be disconnected from the labor market after high school,” the study states.
