There are a number of challenges that the young Americans are facing today, especially with respect to their careers. Unfortunately, today, the unemployment rates are very high and are between 16 – 24%. Astoundingly this the double of the national employment rates.
Higher levels of unemployment has its own set of social and economic maladies. Youth with high energy levels without proper outlet for their energies have a challenge of keeping themselves busy. On the economic front this adds to the challenge of costs that are involved in maintain the unemployed youth. The unemployment situation is very unique to our own economy and there is a need to find a solution to this vexing problem.
SLIDE 2: General Situation
The overall general situation is very different today. It has dramatically altered in the last 2 to 3 decades or so and the challenges the youngsters face today is very different from what was experienced by the earlier generations. The problems of youngsters today cannot be viewed with the same lenses that we have viewed earlier, there is an imminent need for objective analysis.
Today there is a clear cut need for a post-secondary credential to be of interest to a potential employer. This could be the one, two or the four year bachelor degree that is directly relevant to the employers today.
This is further reiterated by the fact that the unemployment rates among high school diploma holders is more than three times what is seen in a four year college degree holders.
SLIDE 3: Tweak High School Program?
If one were to carefully examine the education system today, it is very apparent that the nation’s education system is clearly lagging behind what the industry needs. This is a very unfortunate system. This is exactly what is creating the gap between what the industry needs and what our education system is offering.
It is also very clear that the 60% or more of the workforce today needs higher education credentials which it is lagging. Unfortunately our education system has not kept pace with the changing requirement. This is the biggest challenge and malady in the entire ecosystem of unemployment today.
There is a need to move away from conventional system of conventional degrees and move to those that have higher levels of relevance.
SLIDE 4: Success Model
There are isolated successful models that have been created in the education ecosystem. For instance the school of apprenticeship in Newport school, Virginia is one such success model. They have successfully tied up with the ship building industry and are offering courses directly relevant to them.
This tight integration with the ship building industry makes the students very attractive to the local industry there and as a result the unemployment rates are going down. What the school offers is not even a degree program. This is an apprenticeship program that is directed and led by the local industry.
Since the industry is creating the apprentice program they liberally absorb the passing out students. And this creates the success that is required for an education system.
SLIDE 5: Apprentice Programs – Skills
Today it is an acknowledged fact that here is a gap between the products of the education system and the industry. In certain isolated pockets the industry has come forward and created successful apprenticeship programs. This must be replicated and done by more and more industries to create job-ready youth when the pass out of college. There area large gaps in the areas of IT and Healthcare. There are very few programs that cater to the needs of these industries. The organizations in this sector also must come forward to offer apprentice programs.
Industry must focus on offering more and more apprentice programs to the youngsters pursuing their education. This will create youngsters that are industry ready once they finish their degree programs. The focus of the apprentice programs must be to inculcate skills in these youngsters and the focus must be on skill development and enhancement.
SLIDE 6: Role of Counsellors
Counsellors play a key role in guiding the young Americans to meet their career aspirations. It is these counsellors who show the opportunities and career paths that exist in various career areas. They also point to various apprentice programs that are available and the opportunities that keep coming their way.
Unfortunately today there are only about 500 students to one counsellor. The desired ratio is 250 students to one counsellor. This might still look high but this is an optimal ration. The education eco system must serious consider increasing the number of counsellors that are available for the youngsters to seek guidance. There are a large number of youngsters, who, for want of information are unable to locate proper sources of aid, apprenticeship and are missing out on careers.
SLIDE 7: Will things get easier
Today the youth is clearer in their thoughts and are sure of what they want to do. The lacuna seems to be in finding the right opportunities for themselves. There is a lot information that is available in the public domain today that allows the youngsters to find about their aspirations and goals. This clarity is also increasing anxiety among them.
There is a sense of anxiety to achieve quickly and rapidly. This with lack of knowledge is clearly creating conflicting situations for the youngsters today. One good thing that is happening to the youngsters that will in the long run help reduce the unemployment in these youngsters is that they seven out of ten of the high school pass outs are seeking to go ahead and get a college degree, which is good thing and will help reduce the unemployment rates in this segment of population.
SLIDE 8: Conclusion
There are a number of solutions to the challenge of unemployment among youth today. One of the first things that needs to be done is to encourage more of the youngsters to pursue a college degree, this itself in the long run will make them attractive to the industry, as the industry is looking at larger number of college graduates.
Career counselling to create awareness in this segment is important and it is vital to have career counsellors who are updated and ready to offer advise on aid, careers and opportunities to the youth.
Academics must shift gears and raise to meet the challenge of the industry today. They must offer more twinning opportunities with the industry and simultaneously industry must be encouraged to twin the academia. This will lead to updation of the academic ecosystem and make it more industry friendly.
Works Cited
O'Sullivan, Rory. Deputy Director, YOung Invincibles David Greene. 13 August 2013. Radio Broadcast.
