Title
Authorizing City Council's Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings to examine youth employment opportunities in Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, Employment opportunities are extremely important in order to teach young Philadelphians the professionalism, skills and responsibility necessary for a successful career; and
WHEREAS, Federal funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act had in previous years provided crucial support for youth employment programs such as the Philadelphia Youth Network; and
WHEREAS, Youth employment programs can no longer rely on previous levels of federal funding, resulting in a reduced number of employment opportunities for youths in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Applicants for youth employment programs often exceed the number of available opportunities. Furthermore, the economic recession has made it more difficult for young Philadelphians to find work in various sectors of the economy; and
WHEREAS, Unemployment figures for young people in Philadelphia exceed the national figures. On the national level, employment figures for young people are at the lowest they have been in over five decades. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2010 approximately one third of people aged between 20 and 29 were unemployed; and
WHEREAS, Large numbers of young adults who were able to gain employment are seriously underemployed, many of whom are employed in part-time, low paying, or temporary positions with little opportunity for advancement; and
WHEREAS, According to experts, the economic downturn has caused many people who have been in the workforce longer to change jobs less frequently, remain with current employers for longer periods of time, and delay retirement. These trends have reduced the number of available positions for young people seeking employment; and
WHEREAS, Unemployed young people are less likely than older adults to qualify for unemployment benefits because they ...
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