Hidden Jobs and Why Workforce System Participants Can’t Find Them

By Edward DeJesus

The nation’s workforce development and social service systems are ill equipped to address the unemployment crisis in the United States.  Their efforts consistently fall flat because too much attention has been placed on short sighted workforce development strategies and practices.  By focusing attention and funding on programs that simply provide skills training and work readiness preparation; they fail to address a critical component that millions of jobseekers need just as much, if not more.  Research indicates that up to 85% of available jobs are not listed in the newspapers or on-line.  These employment opportunities exist in what economist call “the hidden labor market.” For in the hidden labor market, success is achieved by not only about what you know, or who you know; it’s more about who knows you and likes you.

This unspoken reality holds true in the realm of education. The parent who is waiting for the overworked high school counselor to provide their child with information will be waiting a long time. With caseload of up to 500 to 1, high school careers counselors don’t have the time, not to mention the training or access to information, to help student uncover the myriad of educational scholarships and training opportunities available.  Educational opportunity is also based on being in the know, and surrounded by people who know, too.

If the unemployment problem is to be effectively addressed, jobseekers must receive assistance in the area of establishing and cultivating opportunity networks, and then drawing from the resources that these networks provide. Without sustained access to these “opportunity networks”, a major part of the workforce development equation is missing.

An informal survey of program directors for youth summer jobs across the country revealed a glaring problem when it comes to providing youth the proper tools to build opportunity networks and the skills to sustain them.  When asked how many students sent thank you letters to their summer work supervisors or were even prompted to do so, an overwhelming majority answered “none.”

This example is indicative of a workforce system still deeply entrenched in old school workforce development strategies that honestly, have never met any high degree of success.  By staunchly sticking with old school methodologies simply because they exist is a testament to the lack of resolve and commitment among our nation’s policymakers and funding communities to change the nature of opportunity for low-income Americans.

Taking this disservice to jobseekers as a personal challenge, I developed a new program strategy: “Opportuneurship.”  Opportuneurship is a system wide set of principles and practices that gives jobseekers the tools, skills and opportunities to access the hidden employment and educational networks. Opportuneurship is not entrepreneurship. While a very small percentage of job seekers become entrepreneurs,  they all must become opportuneurs -  their future labor market success depends on it.

By equipping jobseekers with the tools that open the gateway to the 85% of jobs that are never advertised in the newspapers, their success percentage increases by significant levels.

The fact that the majority of unemployed are from low income communities only means they are from areas where the majority of people are unemployed and or underemployed.  In such an environment, how is one to ascertain good labor market information, especially when everyone else is in the same boat?  Though we’ve all heard of the “good ol’ boy” network, mainstream society refuses to openly acknowledge its existence, often promoting the façade of equal opportunity employment in public, while opening back room doors for their chosen candidates. This hidden labor market snatches employment opportunities away from low income job seekers that most times they were never even made aware of in the first place. The existence of this exclusionary network forces these poor job seekers to fend for themselves in an already diminished job pool.

What this workforce system needs is an infusion of resources that will allow local workforce boards and community based programs to build strong connections between jobseekers and the opportunities that so elusively remain hidden in the backroom good ol’ boy networks and associations. It requires a system with the willingness to invest in not only preparing people for jobs, but one that will give them access to the highway of information that allows them to drive their own futures, taking any off-ramp they choose.

In the current state of the job market only a select few are aware of these necessary strategies and are taking advantage of them. This gross oversight is one of the major reasons that the employment outlook seems so bleak to many jobseekers. A review of the national work readiness credential showed that there have been no measurements taken to determine the degree to which networking and helping participants sustain that network is essential to labor market success.  The fact that the concept of Opportuneurship is an overlooked and underfunded strategy while major corporations utilize networking on a daily basis, places a spotlight on this broken system that can no longer be ignored. I challenge the leaders of the nation’s workforce system and the policymakers that created it, to look beyond traditional approaches and immediately incorporate Opportuneurship as an essential program component.  We must demand the incorporation of Opportuneurship programs and strategies if our youth and dislocated jobseekers are to have a fighting chance.

It is pointless to profess concern and perpetrate vigorous strides towards resolving unemployment when the critical vehicles necessary to propel jobseekers onto the path of success is being omitted from the programs funded to help them. Why would a jobseeker take their time and energy to complete a program where the end result will not put them in any better of a position than when they started?   What we don’t do for people tells them more about us than what we do for them.  Subjecting millions of low-income job seekers to antiquated methods is doing nothing but showing how much you don’t care.

Edward DeJesus is a national expert of workforce and youth development. Reprint of article allowed as long as author is properly referenced. For more information on Opportuneurship or to get involved with the Opportuneurship Movement, please visit www.edwarddejesus.com or e-mail: edscinfo@gmail.com

Obama’s Chance to Change the Course for Youth

In the midst of the highest levels of unemployment in the past 50 years, a unique opportunity has opened up for President Obama to change the course of opportunity for youth and address many of the ills that plague them.

Similar to the feat that lay before President Roosevelt in the 1930s, President Obama faces a nation that is wading in the murky uncertainty that we call a recession. With the bleakness of our current condition there comes an opportunity just over the horizon for President Obama to implement a program that will put the jobless back to work and provide the lifesaving breath that our country so desperately needs.

The challenge, however, is multifold. Although President Roosevelt struck gold with his “New Deal” in the 30s, it was not embraced by all Americans because it did not encompass all Americans. In fact when given a critical look, his program which made jobs available to many, turned a cold shoulder to a large demographic of individuals, namely Women and minorities. Deemed the largest job creation effort in history, Roosevelt’s plan almost exclusively created jobs designed for white, male, manual labor. The result was a return to the workforce for many, but not nearly enough to address the needs of all out of work Americans.

Demographics have changed significantly since then, and while the tide of the workforce has changed tremendously to encompass both women and minorities in the workplace, there is still an underrepresented voice that must be heard and acknowledged. Youth. In a society where the world has become increasingly fast-paced and technologically progressive, it is imperative to not only involve today’s youth in the future of job creation, but also to recruit their efforts.

In his address to schools across America earlier this year, President Obama spoke about the opportunities that youth are able to create for themselves by continuing their education and by working hard. Yes, many youth already know this. What millions of youth don’t know is that these opportunities are just not there. High unemployment has unleashed many skilled, college educated workers into the jobs reserved for the energetic young job seeker.

It is time for the Obama administration to focus on the issues of jobs for youth. Current levels of unemployment have eliminated the few job opportunities that previously existed for youth. It’s time to step in the right direction and an analysis of Roosevelt’s New Deal program can help show the way.

The Federal One Program, a highlight of Roosevelt’s New Deal, consisted of five distinct components. Each of these efforts tapped into the cultural capital of the nation: The Federal Writers Project, The Federal Theater Project, The Federal Arts Project, The Federal Music Project and the Historical Records Survey Project. These components focused on job creation for those who were not served well in traditional New Deal programs. Using similar framework, President Obama has a prime opportunity to create jobs for youth in a manner that utilizes the wealth of youth resources that have to date been virtually untapped.

With the continued innovative thought that has embodied the Obama Administration, the opportunity to create a more all-encompassing Federal One Project is ripe. The Obama Administration has the ability to create a massive job creation program that utilizes the cultural and highly influential power of young people. By harnessing this power, this administration has the ability to reconnect with millions of disenchanted youth and promote the prosperity in America that has been envisioned.

Just a few examples – the administration can revamp the Federal Theater Project. Similar to the new Deal, local youth artists, rappers, dancers and performers can develop and deliver a series of performances educating their peers on ways to deal with life’s challenges and ways to avoid violence.

A newly formed Federal Music Project could offer local Community Based Organization grants to support artists committed to creating positive music dealing with issues of violence, education and substance abuse. This effort is particularly essential in today’s society where the rap and television media heavily influence youth and have the ability to engage them. Think of how powerful this project could be if these media outlets were used by youth to reach youth with messages that promote positive and healthy lifestyles.

Finally, a Federal Arts project could use the expertise of local artists to interview and take pictures of former at-risk youth who made the transition to successful careers. They can create “What They Are Wearing Now Murals Across the U.S.” – a peer based way to show the transition of successful youth from street clothes to work success. A great replacement for all those “Successory” postesr adoring program walls.

There now exists a new opportunity to take the cultural interest of youth and turn it into a positive movement that can transform a community and create effective and lasting change.

There has never been a better time than the present, and there have never been more youth resources than there are now. The vision that President Obama has strived to pass on to the country is attainable and sustainable through the utilization of all of Americans. We simply need our progressive leadership to be exactly that-progressive.

Edward DeJesus is the President and Founder of the Youth Development and Research Fund (YDRF). He can be reached at ed@ydrf.com

Summer Jobs Article Debate- Join in

Mark, thank you for your response. I welcome the free flowing debate that the internet offers and democracy provides. I am in total disagreement with your conclusion that the Washington Post is a supporter of youth employment, namely the summer jobs program. They have consistently refused to write anything about the high youth unemployment rate and the need for more youth employment services. Moreover, the majority of the Post’s articles regarding the summer jobs program have been nothing but acrid criticism.

Now Mark, I am going to assume that you have been in youth services for quite some time. As a youth service advocate , I have been trained to use an asset based approach to working with, and supporting youth. A main part of this approach entails looking at what others don’t see. Here’s what I see:

1. 200 youth wanted a job!

2. DOES had only a “1%” disqualification rate. (201 out of 21,000) They are doing better than the Obama administration!

3. A major lesson was learned: “youth workers are incredible people. How were they able to get serve so many youth in such a short of time?”

Mark, I would never excuse a poorly run program nor would I ever criticize programs for policy mistakes.

In New York , I met Mr. Smith, the Director at the new River Bank State Park in Harlem . Mr. Smith had more than 40 years of youth service under his belt and I admired him for his commitment. For opening day, the State brought in 1000 children from all over Harlem to participate in a day of festivities and fun. The state spent thousands of dollars on new flowers and shrubs to beautify the park. On opening day I stood in Mr. Smith’s office as his staff came screaming in: “Mr. Smith, Mr Smith!” They yelled. “The kids are destroying all the flowers, the kids are destroying all of the flowers!” Mr. Smith calmly looked over his shoulder at his staff and stated in a smooth clam voice: “They are not destroying all of the flowers, they’re destroying 30% of the flowers.”

99% of the youth served by DC and those served in the summer of 2009 will be served well. Will 1% fall through the cracks? Probably. Will we get the policies and resources to make things right? Probably not?

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I would say that you have seriously misinterpreted the Washington Post article article, which I also read this morning. The article was > about the serious mis-management and mis-operation of the summer  youth employment program in the District last summer, that  resulted in many poor quality employment opportunities, lost  opportunities for employing additional youth, and wasted financial  resources, the combination of which will likely discourage youth,
 employer, and provider participation in the program this coming  summer unless significant corrections are made to program  management and operations. There was nothing in the article
 indicating that summer youth employment programs are not  important, and, in fact, the Post editorial staff has long been a  proponent for increased and enhanced summer employment
 opportunities for youth in the District. The problems in last  summer’s program as reported in this article point to the need for  the District to run a more effective and efficient program, not to
do away with the program. What, you would choose not to run the story because some yo-yo reader interprets a poorly run program to mean there should be no program at all?

Don’t Let Change Stop On Nov. 4 – Create Jobs for Youth

 

America needs change. We’ve all known this for years, and we finally have a President Elect who shares the vision of a better America. The change campaign swept through this country, prompting millions of youth to take make their voices heard at the polling place, emphatically declaring that the time is now. However it’s one thing to talk about change, we must also be about it. Now that we have the power to effect change, what will we do with it? The time to roll up our sleeves is upon us and we all need to get busy. With an economy that is plunging daily, we must now examine the roots of this problem and devise a plan that effectively and inclusively involves all Americans in restoring our country and spreading the wealth equitably.

 

Presently, the employment rate is at rock bottom. Layoffs abound, and the unspoken last hired, first fired rule is in effect. At the same time, drop-outs rates are escalating, community college completion rates worsen and many youth workers who find themselves competing with college educated adults for a minimum wage job that will barely keep gas in their cars. Despite these facts, we’ve always known that large companies don’t hire those under age 25 for career level positions, not even at the entry level.

 

When the current outlook is so bleak, is it any wonder that youth are wondering why they should strive to enter the workforce or complete their education?

The recent election created a movement within the youth community that encouraged them to act, that convinced them that they matter, that change could occur. In fact, President Elect Obama got 23 million youth to the “polling place.” Now the question is: What will we do to get them to the “market place.” What do we need to do to ensure that the most disenfranchised of our youth get a chance at opportunity?

 

Change is coming, but where will it land? Will it hit the schools and youth programs? If we were tired of 8 years of backwards administration, we must be sick with 30 years of backwards youth policy. Although youth culture and the economy have dramatically changed in the past 30 years, many of our programs have not.  We have to many 8-track programs and policies in a MP 3 world. I am not talking about computers and Star Trek distance learning systems (they don’t work), I’m talking about the technology of youth engagement – a science that for many program programs means nothing more than letting youth rap at the local youth conference.

 

Our youth facilities are still trying to crank up the 8-track player and wondering why youth aren’t listening. Sadly, we think technology is the answer.  The youth who need our help want “High Touch and High Tech.” We are just getting the later. The cracks in misunderstanding between your average middle class teacher and hard to serve student have turned to craters.  It is a sad state of affairs when we have invested more research and time in making the things  of our world work better, but our interpersonal relationships remain stagnant. We are losing our youth, and unless we continue to promote change in every aspect of our lives, we will only be talking about it, and as we all know, talk is cheap.  

 

 

If President Elect Obama got youth’s attention through bottom up, grassroots efforts and organizing; then we need a bottom-up grassroots approach to youth education and workforce development.

 

At no time in history has the challenge to the future economic opportunity of out nations’ youth been most at-risk.  The rising cost of college, and the lack of any tangible success for the sacrifice perpetuates the cloud of despair that is the reality that many youth face. Has it ever been more apparent that we need change? There is a glaring neon sign that says now is the time, but where do we start?

 

Here are some suggestions:

 

-Encourage active participation of youth, obtaining their input in redesigning current programs and policies.

-Create a service corps of well trained and properly supported youth in the community promoting life, freedom and FEO (credentials, skills, degrewes, networks and work experience).

-Invest in research to determine why our youth and workforce system has been unable to engage the youth they are intended to reach.

-Incorporate workers’ rights training and education in all curriculum and job training programs

-Ensure that youth culturally competent mental health and substance abuse counseling is made readily available.

-Guarantee transitional jobs for all program graduates.

-Promote the use of the youth cultural competence approach to change program climates and community direction.

 

Engaging and supporting disconnected youth comes with many challenges. Yet the results of our success will impact all facets of society and rebuild stronger communities. Let us listen to their voices as they share their ideas for eradicating the perpetual cycle of poverty and inequality that they are caught within. Let their voices guide us to learn new ways to replace this despair with hope, healing and confidence in a newer, brighter tomorrow.

 

Reach all Youth

 

Edward DeJesus