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BARRIERS TO YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
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There are many barriers to overcome in addressing
the issue of youth employment. Below are nine examples
of barriers that impede progress toward full youth employment
and sustainable livelihoods. To simplify, YES has outlined
these barriers in the following categories:
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1. The current economic and social
conditions in a given country
2. Lack of education, especially education
targeted to employment
3. Lack of enabling macro policies that promote
Youth Employment
4. Lack of access and appropriate use of new
technologies to support Youth Employment
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5. Lack of credit and other services
to serve youth in generating self-employment
6. Lack of private sector partnerships to
promote youth employment
7. Lack of productive on-farm and off-farm employment
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8. Discrimination against young people and
more specifically, young women
9. Lack of self-empowerment-generating opportunities
Looking at the size and scope of these barriers, we can
see that reaching high levels of youth employment and sustainable
livelihoods is not a trivial undertaking. There needs to
be a concerted effort, both within countries and globally,
if we are to meet the goal of creating the synergy and
knowledge needed to ensure that 500 million young adults,
especially youth facing poverty, will have productive and
sustainable livelihoods by the year 2012.
First it is appropriate to recognize these barriers and
next, to point out the opportunities that each barrier
presents. The next step is to identify initiatives designed
to overcome these barriers, taking place in different parts
of the globe.
The barriers and the opportunities
they raise:
GOVERNMENT POLICIES & PRACTICES
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1. The
current economic and social conditions in a given country:
This is, of course, the largest and most over arching
barrier. Before a country can improve the livelihood
of its youth, it needs to have a comprehensive overview
of all the contributing factors that are controlled or
affected by government policies.
One example is the need for peace. It is obvious that
countries at war are poor prospects for becoming countries
in which employment is high. Another example is lack
of basic infrastructure. Without clear policies governing
distribution of energy, suitable modes of transportation,
and the delivering of clean water and health care, employment
in general - and youth employment in particular - cannot
be a viable focus.
Young people have the largest stake in the future. Building the infrastructure
and providing basic services can offer employment opportunities to youth.
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2. Lack
of education, especially targeted to employment:
In countries where basic education is not available
to all, and/or where the education system and the economic
structure are not related, the probability that youth
will receive an education that prepares them for meaningful
employment is low. As the speed with which new information
and technology are introduced increases, the lack of
education becomes increasingly more critical.
New technology makes it possible to bring information and learning into remote
areas, poor areas, and areas which lack conventional educational facilities.
Youth can not only benefit from the improved learning opportunities, but
this infusion of technology offers employment and entrepreneurial opportunities,
as well.
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3. Lack
of enabling macro policies that promote Youth Employment:
Countries need to establish specific policies geared
to increasing access to, and development of, employment.
Moreover, countries need to assess current policies across
a wide spectrum to see if they intentionally or inadvertently
impede youth employment.
The need to systematically examine existing policies offers opportunities
for youth to learn research skills, gain organizational experience, and
learn writing and speaking skills. The need to create new policies offers
youth the opportunity to apprentice with policy makers, learn policy development
skills, and find employment in NGOs and other organizations that will contribute
to the creation of the new policies.
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4. Lack
of access and appropriate use of new technologies to
support Youth Employment:
The growing information and technology gap between
countries that are rich in technology and those on the
wrong side of the digital divide is becoming an important
factor in determining which ones will have viable economic
futures. While the private sector has an important role
to play in increasing access to technology, governments
need to establish policies and practices that support
technology growth and ensure the benefits reach a wide
range of citizens.
There are innovative programs that bring technology in the form of cell phones,
computers, etc. to impoverished communities. Young people can seize these
opportunities to create entrepreneurial businesses such as information
exchanges and weather-reporting services for farmers and fishermen.
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BUSINESS/PRIVATE PRACTICES
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5. Lack
of credit and other services to serve youth in generating
self-employment:
Banks and other lending/credit institutions need to
create policies and strategies that include youth as
viable borrowers.
This barrier offers one of the more direct opportunities for youth to benefit.
Even small changes in bank and credit-provider policy will have immediate
direct impact on youth entrepreneurship opportunities.
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6. Lack
of private sector partnerships to promote youth employment:
Employers, work force development agencies, and educationists
need to collaborate on policies and practices that will
enable youth to learn the skills they need to gain meaningful
employment. This learning could take place in educational
institutions and in the workplace. It is also important
that the private sector promote the need for meaningful
youth employment and help increase public awareness about
the issues.
As with improving governmental policies, the immediate opportunities for
youth lie in the skills they can acquire. Youth could work with companies
and other organizations on promoting youth employment - and learn presentation,
data collection, organization, and skills directly related to career opportunities.
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7. Lack
of productive on-farm and off-farm employment:
Rural youth are particularly susceptible to limited
employment opportunities. Many youth leave rural areas
and migrate to cities where they swell the ranks of the
unemployed.
The growing interest in a healthy environment and healthy foods offers opportunities
for melding technology with agriculture to improve farming practices which
would, in turn, offer additional opportunities for viable employment for
youth.
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SOCIAL CONDITIONS /
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8. Discrimination
against young people and more specifically, young women:
In some cultures, respect for the elderly may lead to
lack of respect for the skills and talents of the young.
In countries where formal sector employment is low, youth
employment - and especially employment for young women
- is seen as less important than employment for adult
males. Educational opportunities for girls and young
women are restricted in many countries, limiting their
opportunities for acquiring the skills needed for meaningful
employment.
The opportunity for older persons to mentor young men and women will both
increase the young persons chances to learn skills, - and gain employment,
but will also begin to break down the barriers between the generations.
Small entrepreneurial programs of women-helping-women can be established.
With support from NGOs and others, young people can take leadership roles
in creating these organizations.
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9. Lack
of self-confidence-generating opportunities:
Youth who lack role models of successful enterprise
may have limited horizons. While poor governmental policies
can limit opportunity, lack of self-confidence can limit
opportunities even where good governmental policies exist.
Empowerment of youth as a way to build their confidence is imperative to
the success of youth employment initiatives. Technology-based programs,
on and off-farm programs, small entrepreneurial opportunities…. There
is an endless list of programs that offer the opportunity for youth to
develop the leadership skills they need to become self-confident.
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BARRIERS TO YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
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The various barriers related to youth employment and sustainable livelihoods
will be listed and linked to programs and policies that correspond to each
area, relevant toolkits, Alliance embers, country reports, regions.
» Conflict/War
» Cultural
Biases (Especially Against Females)
» Discrimination
» Few
Formal Sector Jobs
» Lack
of Cooperation Between Private Sector/Government/NGO's/Grass
Roots Organizations
» Lack
of Credit
» Lack
of Educational Opportunities
» Lack
of Knowledge
» Lack
of Materials/Resources
» Lack
of Mentoring
» Lack
of School-To-Work Programs
» Lack
of Self-Confidence
» Lack
of Skills
» Lack
of Training
» Lack
of Work Experience
» Limited
Support Systems
» No
Market for Goods
» No
or Limited Access To Information and Communication Technology
» Poor
Economic Conditions in the Country
» Poor
or No Employment Policies
» Poor
Social Conditions
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