Jobs for At-Risk Youth
Many at-risk youth living in impoverished urban areas across the United States exist within a state of lack. Most lack jobs. In fact, according to an article published in the Online News Hour, about 30 percent of urban youth are unemployed. In addition, most also lack education and proper training. Thanks to government funding and non-profit programs, at-risk youth can participate in job programs that place eligible participants in short or long-term job positions.
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Identification
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Youth between the ages of 14 and 21 with a history of violence, academic delinquency and behavioral misconduct can participate in At-Risk Youth Job Programs like the Youth Works Program in Massachusetts. This program provides low-income youth--who are school dropouts or at risk of dropping out and being expelled from school; in foster care, transitioning out of foster care, homeless, or immigrants--an opportunity to hold employment during and after the academic year for a restricted number of hours (30 hours during the summer and 15 hours during the school year). All participants are guaranteed employment, and they will receive the state issued minimum employment rate unless otherwise stated.
Qualified applicants with a background in nursing may participate in the Nursing Career Ladder Initiative (NUCLI) program. Acceptance into the program would allow the applicant to work at a participating hospital. Other applicants may be approved to participate in the Bay State Works project. The project is made of nine community-based organizations that accept Youth Works participants for employment. Specific job profiles are not released until the applicant is approved.
Eligibility
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Most at-risk youth jobs have specific eligibility requirements. From income limits to academic requirements and criminal history, at-risk youth jobs require a background check. Because many of the employment opportunities are subsidized private, public and non-profit jobs, all applicants are encouraged to demonstrate an ability to work in a team environment, follow direction and demonstrate effective listening skills. Additional training and skills will be described with each job. The full and successful completion of an at-risk youth program can lead to additional educational and training programs. For example, jobs in nursing, business, social sciences, and education are available. Training in each area is required prior to employment, and persons with some education or knowledge of these industries will receive priority.
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Significance
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At-risk youth job programs are established through government funding...as well as private and non-profit donations. The objective of many of these programs is to provide at-risk youth with the foundational building blocks for professional success, encourage goal setting and offer alternative activity for young people who are not under the care of a supervising parent or have been expelled from school. These types of programs have proved effective in areas with a significant school drop-out rate, high teen pregnancy rate and a high level of gang activity. An applicant will train under a mentor to learn specific business training. For example, Microsoft and other large IT corporations provide IT programs and other computer engineering training. Most at-risk participants move from the training programs to entry-level positions working under their mentors. Commonly, this will include data entry work.
Potential
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At-risk youth job programs are meant to teach youth about corporate culture, foster a strong work ethic, decrease the unemployment rate among urban youth, and encourage opportunities like higher education and career planning. Programs--such as the Year Up program--provide at-risk urban youth with corporate and computer-based jobs as well as career training workshops. The objective of the program is to prepare at-risk youth for success by engaging them in a culture of success and responsibility. Each student can spend up to a year under the guidance of a mentor within that company.
Industries
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Jobs for at-risk youth can range from working as field guides at national and state parks to working in corporations or companies that participate in at-risk youth job placement programs. Most programs are set up in the social services sector of private, public and non-profit industries. However, some programs are established with government agencies.
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Resources
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