The Wall Street Journal's Blog highlights our hearing from on economic opportunities for young Americans last week.
While there are big concerns about unemployment and underemployment for young Americans, there is a silver lining.
The unemployment rate for 16 to 19-year-olds hit 25.9% in September, the highest rate recorded since at least 1948 (the earliest data the Labor Department supplies).
Lately, their plight hasn’t been falling on deaf ears. The House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing earlier this week to address low unemployment among young people.
“Indeed, because of the horrible economy, younger workers are now competing with more experienced workers for positions traditionally [in] the domain of the young and less experienced,” Rep. George Miller, a California Democrat and the committee chairman, said according to prepared remarks. “Until the economy as a whole turns around, younger workers will continue to be hit the hardest.”
While there are big concerns about unemployment and underemployment for young Americans, there is a silver lining.
At least things don’t appear to be getting worse for the 20-somethings lately. The unemployment rate for 20 to 24-year-olds dropped to a still-high 14.9% in September. It’s the second month the group’s unemployment rate decreased.We encourage you to read the entire blog post, as well as view the testimony from the hearing, visit the hearing page and view the pictures.
