COVID impacts on U.S. youth workforce system: challenges and opportunities

Collins, Mary Elizabeth; Kuykendall, Shamekka; Ramirez, Milagros; Spindle-Jackson, Adrianna

doi:10.1080/13639080.2022.2091119

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Furthermore, in the context of COVID-19, specifically, there were wide ranging approaches across states and localities in terms of closing businesses, mask mandates, and vaccine rules. These had clear impacts on several employment sectors and workforce development operations were highly affected by this (Collins et al, 2022). Other inequities may be exacerbated by state and local politics such that innovative programming may exist in some regions but few initiatives in others.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Time has come again” for career pathways: Workforce development for youth in the US

Collins,

Spindle‐Jackson

2024

Poverty & Public Policy

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Youth who are not in school and not working may be labeled “disconnected” or “opportunity youth,” and are recognized as a population that requires intervention to establish a trajectory that avoids poverty and leads to economic stability. In this study, we aim to contribute to this discussion by reporting data from two recent studies of workforce development systems’ attention to opportunity youth. We address the question: How do workforce development systems implement the concepts of career pathways and sector strategies in their work with youth? The method involved studying 29 workforce development boards’ approach to youth populations. We conducted semi‐structured, in‐depth qualitative interviews with 62 subjects. Thematic analysis was used to identify key findings related to sector strategies, utility of the career pathways concept, challenges in applying the pathways concept to youth populations, and impacts of coronavirus disease 2019. We identify next steps in policy and research to further support youth in attaining sustainable employment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Time has come again” for career pathways: Workforce development for youth in the US

Collins,

Spindle‐Jackson

2024

Poverty & Public Policy

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“…Intersectionality highlights the junction of oppressions by acknowledging how multiple marginalised identities interweave and function in society (Logan et al., 2021). Care leavers lack the privileges associated with family life (Seita, 2001), they are young people facing adultism (Doucet et al., 2022), they have had extensive system involvement resulting in disempowerment (Collins et al., 2022) and they lack economic resources (McNamara et al., 2019). They are more likely to be youth of colour, immigrants, persons with disabilities and sexual minorities (Harrison et al., 2022).…”

Section: Care Leavers’ Educational Pursuits: Psvementioning

confidence: 99%

Post‐secondary vocational education for youth leaving care: Examining a potential pathway to successful outcomes

Collins,

Augsberger,

Howard

2023

British Educational Res J

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Post‐secondary educational outcomes for care‐experienced youth are poor. This has been a consistent finding across studies in many countries. Most studies do not distinguish between different types of post‐secondary educational pathways and outcomes, however. There has been limited attention to the potential for post‐secondary vocational education (PSVE) as a viable educational path that may lead to positive employment and social outcomes. In this paper we examine PSVE for care leavers by reviewing available data, examining policy context and utilising relevant theories. We offer next steps in policy, practice and theory development.

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“…Generally focused on adolescents and young adults (ages 14-24), their experience of disconnection causes great concern because of the potential for a very negative later life trajectory characterized by unemployment, poverty, homelessness, and other forms of instability. COVID exacerbated potential disconnection and associated risks (Lewis, 2022;Collins et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding youth circumstances in workforce development programs: Opportunities for social work

Collins

Spindle-Jackson

2023

Journal of Social Work

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Summary Youth who are disconnected from both education and work are at risk for a difficult life trajectory. This population requires policy and practice attention from social work. In this article, we report results from two research studies in the United States focused on the workforce development system serving the disconnected youth population. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 61 respondents in various geographic areas. Findings The focus of the analysis was data related to youth strengths and employment-related realities. Additionally, we examined the extent to which social work was reportedly engaged in this work. Respondents identified strengths of the youth population to include resilience, creativity, and willingness to contribute their perspectives. The described realities of employment suggest many challenges (e.g., employer reluctance, limited information on opportunities, and immediate economic realities). Social work was only mentioned in a few instances but in a positive light. Applications The findings have direct application for guiding further social work engagement in this practice and policy area. These applications include providing leadership to workforce development systems in the use of strengths perspectives, meeting youth where they are at, engaging in holistic interventions to address basic needs, and strengthening collaborations. Applications to social work research and education are also identified.

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COVID impacts on U.S. youth workforce system: challenges and opportunities

Cited by 8 publications

References 16 publications

“Time has come again” for career pathways: Workforce development for youth in the US

“Time has come again” for career pathways: Workforce development for youth in the US

Post‐secondary vocational education for youth leaving care: Examining a potential pathway to successful outcomes

Understanding youth circumstances in workforce development programs: Opportunities for social work

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