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IMPROVING YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS:
ISSUES AND OPTIONS
 
 
February 1982
 
 
PREFACE

This study was prepared at the request of the Senate Budget Committee. It analyzes present federal programs affecting the youth labor market and considers a number of alternative options. In accordance with the mandate of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to provide objective and impartial analysis, the paper offers no recommendations.

Improving Youth Employment Prospects was written by Sandra Christensen of CBO's Human Resources and Community Development Division, under the supervision of Nancy M. Gordon and Martin Levine. Many persons within CBO, including George R. Iden, Allen Kraus, Maureen McLaughlin, Stacey Sheffrin, and James M. Verdier, contributed by reviewing the manuscript. Ben Steffen and Howard Levine provided computer assistance. In addition, many persons outside CBO provided valuable advice and information, including Stephen Baldwin, Gordon Berlin, Patricia Brenner, Charles Brown, Marian Craft, Henry David, Howard Fullerton, Robert Guttman, Andrew Hahn, Norman Harvey, Miriam Johnson, Sandra King, Charles Knapp, John Lepley, Robert Lerman, Alan Moss, David O'Neill, Larry Orr, David Roberts, Stuart Rosenfeld, Tom Ryan, Robert Taggart, Randall Weiss, and Mark Wolfe. Francis Pierce edited the manuscript. Mary Braxton typed the several drafts and prepared the paper for publication.
 

Alice M. Rivlin
Director
February 1982
 
 

CONTENTS
 

SUMMARY

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER II. YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PATTERNS

CHAPTER III. ALTERNATIVE POLICY APPROACHES AND AN OVERVIEW OF PRESENT FEDERAL EFFORTS

CHAPTER IV. INCREASING EMPLOYMENT DEMAND FOR YOUTHS

CHAPTER V. INCREASING EMPLOYABILITY

CHAPTER VI. IMPROVING LABOR MARKET TRANSITIONS

 
TABLES
 
1.  UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN THE CIVILIAN POPULATION BY AGE, RACE, AND SEX: 1981
2.  YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN THE CIVILIAN POPULATION BY AGE, RACE, AND SEX: SELECTED YEARS
3.  CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT-TO-POPULATION RATIOS, BY AGE, RACE, AND SEX: SELECTED YEARS
4.  CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATES, BY AGE, RACE, AND SEX: SELECTED YEARS
5.  COMPARISON OF INACTIVITY RATES: SELECTED YEARS
6.  TOTAL CIVILIAN AND MILITARY LABOR FORCE: 1970, 1980, AND 1990
7.  SUMMARY OF PRESENT FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT AFFECT THE YOUTH LABOR MARKET
8.  COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ACT: AUTHORIZED FUNDING AND APPROPRIATIONS, FISCAL YEAR 1982
9.  COMPARISON OF JOB SEARCH TRAINING PROGRAMS


 
SUMMARY

In coming months, the Congress will have an opportunity to reexamine the federal government's role in the youth labor market. The authorizing legislation for the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) expires in 1982. Authorization for the Targeted Jobs Tax Credit (TJTC)--which provides a subsidy for the employment of certain disadvantaged groups--will also expire in 1982. Further, although the Vocational Education Act (VEA) is now authorized through 1984, the Administration may submit proposals for changes this year. Finally, the Congress may be asked to consider an additional economic development program (enterprise zones) and a youth subrainimum wage.

This document is available in its entirety in PDF.