Jobs for Youth/Des emplois pour les jeunes

ISSN :
1997-6844 (online)
ISSN :
1997-6836 (print)
DOI :
10.1787/19976844
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Improving the performance of youths in the labour market is a crucial challenge in OECD countries facing persistent youth unemployment. This series includes, for each subject country:  an examination of the the school-to-work transition process, a survey of the main barriers to employment for young people, an assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of existing measures to improve the transition from school-to-work, and a set of policy recommendations for further action by the public authorities and social partners.
Also available in: French
 
Jobs for Youth/Des emplois pour les jeunes: United States 2009

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Authors:
OECD
Publication Date :
07 Dec 2009
Pages :
192
ISBN :
9789264075290 (PDF) ; 9789264075283 (print)
DOI :
10.1787/9789264075290-en

Hide / Show Abstract

First experiences on the labour market have a profound influence on later working life. This report on the United States contains a survey of the main barriers to employment for young people, an assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of existing measures to improve the transition from school-to-work, and a set of policy recommendations for further action.
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  • Mark
  • Abbreviations
  • Summary and main recommendations
    The current major economic downturn has brought about a significant worsening in the labour market performance of US youth. In the two years to September 2009, the employment rate of youth aged 16-24 fell by 7 percentage points to 46% and their unemployment rate rose by 7 percentage points to 18%. Despite talk that the worst of the recession may be over, there is little doubt that its labour market consequences will persist over the coming quarters.
  • Résumé et principales recommandations
    Face à la profonde récession économique actuelle, la situation des jeunes Américains sur le marché du travail s’est considérablement aggravée. Entre septembre 2007 et septembre 2009, le taux d’emploi des jeunes de 16 à 24 ans a reculé de 7 points de pourcentage, pour s’établir à 46 %, et leur taux de chômage a augmenté dans les mêmes proportions, pour atteindre 18 %. Malgré les discours selon lesquels le pire de la crise serait derrière nous, il ne fait guère de doute que ses conséquences sur l’emploi se feront encore sentir au cours des prochains trimestres.
  • Introduction
    Improving the performance of youth in the labour market is a crucial challenge in OECD countries. Population ageing is looming but this is not a magic pill to solve young people’s problems. While smaller youth cohorts are likely to create more opportunities for youth, it is crucial that young people possess the skills required in today’s and tomorrow’s labour market.
  • The Challenge Ahead
    The initial steps of youth in the labour market are often characterised by spells of unemployment and significant job mobility. For some youth, the initial difficulties are easily resolved while others struggle to overcome the challenges they face. The purpose of this chapter is to draw a picture of the challenges facing youth in the United States using aggregate indicators of labour market performance and measures describing school-to-work transitions.
  • Initial Education and Learning on the Job
    The quality of initial education is a key factor in facilitating the transition from education to employment and putting youth on a promising career track. The purpose of this chapter is to assess whether the current education system in the United States gives youth a good start in the labour market.
  • Removing Demand-Side Barriers
    Labour demand conditions are an important determinant of youth labour market performance. Across OECD countries, the youth employment rate is more sensitive to the business cycle than that of adults. In addition, as new entrants to the labour market, youth are more likely to be affected by institutional arrangements that have an impact on labour demand.
  • Workforce Development
    Youth who have disconnected from the education system and are not working or planning to return to training are at high risk of marginalisation. Some of these young people are homeless, have disabilities, have left foster care and/or are known to the justice system. As a result, efforts to create programmes that succeed in reconnecting these at-risk young people to education, the labour market and society more generally as early as possible are key.
  • Bibliography
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