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Youth@Work is an initiative of the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC), a nonprofit that serves both youth and adult jobseekers as well as employers. The WDC’s programs for youth combine academic support with job training and other work experiences to build skills and prepare young people for adulthood. Youth@Work connects young adults under age 25 with employers looking for enthusiastic, hard-working young employees through our website, www.youthatwork.info. Employers can also contact us for customized services and support in hiring youth. Youth@Work's campaign for youth employment began in 2005 with the publication of the WDC's Youth@Work Report. This report showed a significant decline in employment of 16- to 24-year-olds here in King County and throughout the U.S. In 2008, the problem is still with us--and getting worse. Our new report, Summer Employment: Key for Youth, repeats our call for action and gives inspiring examples of how other large cities are keeping summer jobs alive for youth. Why Youth@Work? Work opportunities are scarce. It’s harder than ever for young adults in Seattle-King County—and across the country— to get jobs. In King County, youth employment* dropped more than 16% between 2000 and 2006, reflecting a national trend. The 2008 summer teen employment rate is projected to be 34%—the lowest in 60 years. Why does it matter? Because early work experience is key to a young person’s success later in life. Beyond occupational skills such as how to use a spreadsheet or a router, work teaches critical social skills such as reliability, respect and reward for a job well done. It gives youth strong motivation to engage in school, graduate and chart a path to a career. What’s in it for employers? Young people make great employees: enthusiastic, energetic and eager to learn. Plus, it is rewarding. Think of what you learned from your first few jobs and bosses—chances are, you never forgot those lessons. Finally, it’s to our advantage as individual companies and as an economy to make sure the next generation is prepared to step into our shoes. * Number of employed between 16 and 24 years old.

Youth@Work is an initiative of the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC), a nonprofit that serves both youth and adult jobseekers as well as employers. The WDC’s programs for youth combine academic support with job training and other work experiences to build skills and prepare young people for adulthood.

Youth@Work connects young adults under age 25 with employers looking for enthusiastic, hard-working young employees through our website, www.youthatwork.info. Employers can also contact us for customized services and support in hiring youth.

Youth@Work's campaign for youth employment began in 2005 with the publication of the WDC's Youth@Work Report. This report showed a significant decline in employment of 16- to 24-year-olds here in King County and throughout the U.S.

In 2008, the problem is still with us--and getting worse. Our new report, Summer Employment: Key for Youth, repeats our call for action and gives inspiring examples of how other large cities are keeping summer jobs alive for youth.

Why Youth@Work?

Work opportunities are scarce. It’s harder than ever for young adults in Seattle-King County—and across the country— to get jobs. In King County, youth employment* dropped more than 16% between 2000 and 2006, reflecting a national trend. The 2008 summer teen employment rate is projected to be 34%—the lowest in 60 years.

Why does it matter? Because early work experience is key to a young person’s success later in life. Beyond occupational skills such as how to use a spreadsheet or a router, work teaches critical social skills such as reliability, respect and reward for a job well done. It gives youth strong motivation to engage in school, graduate and chart a path to a career.

What’s in it for employers? Young people make great employees: enthusiastic, energetic and eager to learn. Plus, it is rewarding. Think of what you learned from your first few jobs and bosses—chances are, you never forgot those lessons. Finally, it’s to our advantage as individual companies and as an economy to make sure the next generation is prepared to step into our shoes.