Authorizing City Council's Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings to examine youth employment opportunities in Philadelphia.

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 often lack the length of employment required to qualify for such benefits; and

WHEREAS, Studies indicate that individuals who enter the workforce during an economic recession may never earn as much income as similarly situated individuals who found their first job in a strong economy; and

WHEREAS, Some experts predict that the job climate will not significantly improve in the near future, jeopardizing the future of Philadelphia's young people; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia must work to protect the futures of millions of young people and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to make a living; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council's Committee on Commerce and Economic Development is hereby authorized to hold hearings to examine youth employment opportunities in Philadelphia.

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