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“Time has come again” for career pathways: Workforce development for youth in the US

Author

Listed:
  • Mary E. Collins
  • Adrianna Spindle‐Jackson

Abstract

Youth who are not in school and not working may be labeled “disconnected” or “opportunity youth,” and are recognized as a population that requires intervention to establish a trajectory that avoids poverty and leads to economic stability. In this study, we aim to contribute to this discussion by reporting data from two recent studies of workforce development systems’ attention to opportunity youth. We address the question: How do workforce development systems implement the concepts of career pathways and sector strategies in their work with youth? The method involved studying 29 workforce development boards’ approach to youth populations. We conducted semi‐structured, in‐depth qualitative interviews with 62 subjects. Thematic analysis was used to identify key findings related to sector strategies, utility of the career pathways concept, challenges in applying the pathways concept to youth populations, and impacts of coronavirus disease 2019. We identify next steps in policy and research to further support youth in attaining sustainable employment. 未上学且未工作的青年可能被贴上“脱节青年”或“机会青年”的标签，并被认为是需要干预的人群，以建立避免贫困和实现经济稳定的轨迹。本文中，我们旨在通过报告近期两项关于劳动力发展系统对机会青年的关注的研究数据，为这一讨论作贡献。我们研究的问题是:劳动力发展系统如何在对青年的工作中实施职业道路和部门战略的概念？我们采用的方法研究了29个劳动力发展委员会针对青年人口的方法。我们对62名受试者进行了半结构化的深度定性访谈。主题分析用于确定与以下方面相关的关键研究发现:部门战略、职业路径概念的实用性、将路径概念应用于青年群体一事的挑战、以及新冠肺炎的影响。我们确定了政策和研究的后续步骤，以进一步支持青年实现可持续就业。 Los jóvenes que no van a la escuela ni trabajan pueden ser etiquetados como “desconectados” o “jóvenes de oportunidades” y se les reconoce como una población que requiere intervención para establecer una trayectoria que evite la pobreza y conduzca a la estabilidad económica. En este artículo pretendemos contribuir a esta discusión presentando datos de dos estudios recientes sobre la atención que los sistemas de desarrollo de la fuerza laboral prestan a los jóvenes con oportunidades. Abordamos la pregunta: ¿Cómo implementan los sistemas de desarrollo de la fuerza laboral los conceptos de trayectorias profesionales y estrategias sectoriales en su trabajo con los jóvenes? El método implicó estudiar el enfoque de 29 juntas de desarrollo laboral hacia las poblaciones jóvenes. Realizamos entrevistas cualitativas semiestructuradas y en profundidad con 62 sujetos. Se utilizó un análisis temático para identificar hallazgos clave relacionados con las estrategias sectoriales, la utilidad del concepto de trayectorias profesionales, los desafíos en la aplicación del concepto de trayectorias a las poblaciones jóvenes y los impactos de COVID‐19. Identificamos los próximos pasos en políticas e investigación para apoyar aún más a los jóvenes en la consecución de un empleo sostenible.

Suggested Citation

  • Mary E. Collins & Adrianna Spindle‐Jackson, 2024. "“Time has come again” for career pathways: Workforce development for youth in the US," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(2), pages 182-200, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:povpop:v:16:y:2024:i:2:p:182-200
    DOI: 10.1002/pop4.399
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kenneth A. Couch & Matthew B. Ross & Jessica Vavrek, 2018. "Career Pathways and Integrated Instruction: A National Program Review of I-BEST Implementations," Journal of Labor Research, Springer, vol. 39(1), pages 99-125, March.
    2. Jeremy W Bray & Brooks Depro & Dorren McMahon & Marion Siegle & Lee Mobley, 2016. "Disconnected Geography: A Spatial Analysis of Disconnected Youth in the United States," Journal of Labor Research, Springer, vol. 37(3), pages 317-342, September.
    3. Collins, Mary Elizabeth & Spindle-Jackson, Adrianna & Yao, Mengni, 2021. "Workforce development systems efforts for system-involved youth: Opportunities and challenges," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    4. Burt S. Barnow & Lois M. Miller & Jeffrey A. Smith, 2021. "Workforce Entry Including Career and Technical Education and Training," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 695(1), pages 260-274, May.
    5. Alicia Sasser Modestino, 2019. "How Do Summer Youth Employment Programs Improve Criminal Justice Outcomes, and for Whom?," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 38(3), pages 600-628, June.
    6. Raj Chetty & Nathaniel Hendren & Lawrence F. Katz, 2016. "The Effects of Exposure to Better Neighborhoods on Children: New Evidence from the Moving to Opportunity Experiment," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 106(4), pages 855-902, April.
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