Blog: Making a Commitment to Summer Jobs

Statement

I've written in the past about the power of getting people together around the table. In today's world of non-stop communication and technology there is still something special--and valuable--about meeting people face to face, sharing stories, and hearing what drives them.

Yesterday I had the chance to do just that, when I convened a meeting of business leaders to talk about the importance of summer jobs for America's youth.

In 2009 and 2010, communities across the country were able to use Recovery Act funds to support summer work programs. Those dollars are gone, but the need certainly is not. In fact, the numbers are staggering: Last July--the month when youth employment usually peaks--the unemployment rate among 6 to 24 year olds was 19.1 percent, the highest July rate on record since 1948. More than 4 million young people who wanted to work could not find jobs, and the problem for youth of color was even more apparent, with unemployment rates of 33.4 percent for African-American, 22.1 percent for Hispanic and 21.6 percent for Asian youth.

Without dedicated funding, opportunities for deserving young people could be hard to come by during the summer of 2011, but that doesn't mean we stop trying to solve the problem. That means we get the right people around the table, roll up our sleeves and get to work.

Yesterday around my conference table--joined by business leaders from prominent companies like UPS, Wells Fargo, and Research in Motion--I shared the story of how my first summer job impacted my life. I also shared how in my travels as your Labor Secretary I've heard so many similar stories from people around the country. As a nation, we understand the dignity and inspiration that comes along with earning your first paycheck. We also understand that summer jobs are an important starting point in exploring what drives you -- a chance to discover what, and who you want to be.

But those around the table also understand that summer job programs are a critical pipeline for highly qualified, loyal employees, and a chance to shape the workforce of tomorrow. It just made sense to kick off an initiative I'm calling Summer Jobs USA: Make the Commitment by bringing them together to talk about what works for our young workers.

The initiative focuses on partnering with business leaders, elected officials and non-profits and challenging them to create and publicize job opportunities for low-income, youth. As a part of this effort, we've launched www.dol.gov/summerjobs and I've asked the more than 3,000 local OneStop Centers to work with area businesses to assist in every possible way to make sure that young people can connect with part-time or summer jobs in 2011.

I'm asking businesses to make a commitment to young people--for the summer and beyond. I'm also asking them to commit to increase the diversity of those they hire in summer jobs.

I'm asking local leaders, mayors, state workforce organizations and others to make a commitment to organize summer jobs programs in their areas. There are shining examples of programs in cities like Boston, New York, Chicago and others, where kids are given a chance to succeed by bringing the private, public and non-profit sectors together. We need to highlight these programs, and replicate them.

I'm asking my colleagues at other cabinet agencies to get involved. The Forest Service--part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture--hires approximately 15,000 summer jobs throughout the country. The U.S. Department of Interior--through its America's Great Outdoors program-- has more than 10,000 seasonal jobs. Both provide young people with the chance to do well by doing good, helping to maintain the natural beauty of our country.

And I've asked young people to make a commitment, too. I'm asking them to work hard, and to use these summer opportunities to learn new things, to grow, and to develop friends and mentors.

So far we have more than 35,000 commitments ranging from the government jobs at USDA and Interior, to more than 2500 jobs at golf courses around the country submitted by members of the We Are Golf coalition. But this is just the beginning.

You're going to hear much more about these programs and more in the coming weeks as I bring together local, state, and federal government leaders to continue this important conversation. I want to bring everyone to the table, and I want everyone to make a commitment.

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