Youths Facing Challenges Worldwide

“In 2011, 13%, or 904,000, of the 6.8 million Canadians aged 15 to 29 were neither in school nor did they have a job. This proportion, which has changed little during the past decade, has been among the lowest of all G7 nations. People in this age group who are neither enrolled in school nor employed are referred to by the acronym 'NEET.' The NEET concept emerged in the 1990s when jobless, out-of-school youth in several European countries were considered at risk of becoming discouraged and disengaged. This indicator is now regularly produced by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.”

Statistics Canada, May 23, 2012: “The Many Challenges Facing Youths”, By Katherine Marshall. (PDF version, 15 pages)

A new ILO study examines the continuing job crisis affecting young people in many parts of the world. It provides updated statistics on global and regional youth unemployment rates and presents ILO policy recommendations to curb the current trends.

The Toronto Star, May 23, 2012: “Nearly one million young Canadians not at school or work, StatsCan says” by Dana Flavelle

International Labour Organization (ILO), May 22, 2012: Global Employment Trends for Youth 2012
 (Full Report, PDF, 57 pages)

The Globe and Mail, May 22, 2012:  “Youth unemployment to stay at ‘crisis peak’ for years: ILO”, by Tavia Grant

The Toronto Star, May 22, 2012: “Youth jobless rates remain high globally, report says”, by Dana Flavelle

This year's college graduation season comes against a backdrop of rising concern over the costs of higher education, the burdens of student debt and the challenges graduates face in a difficult job market. The issue of costs and rising student debt have touched off a national debate about the cost and value of a college education. Surveys by the Pew Research Center present a portrait of the views of the general public and college graduates.

Pew Research Center, May 17, 2012: College Graduation: Weighing the Cost ... and the Payoff

A new Heldrich Center survey of college graduates from 2006 to 2011 finds:

• Recent college graduates are struggling to find full-time jobs. In fact, just over half of recent college graduates are working full time.

• More than half of the nation's recent college graduates are struggling to pay off their student loans and many are borrowing to obtain additional education.

• While the majority of college graduates are satisfied with their college education, if given the opportunity to start college over again, most would have either chosen a different major, taken different courses, or participated in more internship and work experiences.

• Only about one-fifth of recent college graduates believe that their generation will have more success than the one before them, and more than twice as many think their generation will be less successful than the one that preceded them.

Heldrich Center, May 2012: “Chasing the American Dream: Recent College Graduates and the Great Recession”, by Charley Stone, M.P.P., Carl Van Horn, Ph.D., and Cliff Zukin, Ph.D. (PDF, 66 pages)

U.S. Congressional Research Service, May 11, 2012: “Vulnerable Youth: Employment and Job Training Programs”, Adrienne L. Fernandes-Alcantara, Specialist in Social Policy (PDF, 46 pages] Link provided by IWS Documented News Service.

U.S. Congressional Research Service, May 10, 2012: “Youth and the Labor Force: Background and Trends”, by Adrienne L. Fernandes-Alcantara (PDF, 35 pages) Link provided by IWS Documented News Service.

Gallup Economy, May 9, 2012: “One in Three Young U.S. Workers Are Underemployed. Young adults more than twice as likely as older adults to be underemployed”, by Dennis Jacobe, Chief Economist