NCJ Number
91749
Date Published
Unknown
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This discussion addresses the problem of youth unemployment and current programs and policies aimed at ameliorating the situation. It focuses on the activities of the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC), a nonprofit corporation which tests alternatives for helping disadvantaged members of society become more self-sufficient.
Abstract
MDRC's projects to promote youth employment emphasize knowledge development. They include supported work programs, supported work with educational remediation, youth incentive entitlement pilot projects, the comprehensive opportunities project, and project redirection. The MDRC experience clearly dispels popular myths about youth unemployment, demonstrating that disadvantaged youths do want to work, that the private sector can be a strong partner in a youth training initiative, that public employment programs can provide meaningful work experience, and that employment programs do not encourage youths to drop out of school. Meaningful work experience can complement schooling for disadvantaged youths and local schools can be linked to employment and training. Alternative programs and educational options should be provided for dropouts returning to school. The design and implementation of youth programs needs the constructive involvement of the private sector, which the Job Training Partnership Act is designed to encourage. A list of MDRC publications and 23 footnotes are given.