The Youth Unemployment Crisis

The Youth Unemployment Crisis: A Fix that Works and Pays for Itself

Economist Bob Lerman proposes a solution to the youth unemployment crisis in the United States. Lerman argues the quickest way to getting unemployed kids off the streets and onto the payroll is through work apprenticeships.

Robert Lerman: What if I told you that a U.S. public-private initiative could reduce youth unemployment, improve the transition from school-to-careers, upgrade skills, raise wages of young adults, strengthen a young worker's identity, increase U.S. productivity, achieve positive returns for employers and workers, and reduce government spending?

After you asked me what I've been smoking, you might think it another pie-in-the-sky scheme put forward by some airhead academic. In fact, the initiative I have in mind is feasible to implement. It addresses what may be the most pressing labor market issue at the moment, and in the coming years: no good jobs for young people. Most important, it has been well-tested and it demonstrably works.

So what is it? To expand apprenticeship training, expand it significantly enough to become a viable alternative for most young people and a common method of recruitment and training by employers.

As a university professor and policy practitioner, I have studied apprenticeship programs for years. They train people by combining work-based learning with classroom instruction in a unified program that leads to a recognized and valued occupational credential.

Young people, especially guys, who hate sitting through classes all day can spend part of their time making something and learning by doing.

Continue at:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/2013/02/the-youth-unemployment-crisis.html