Promising Practices for Integrating Positive Youth Development in the Workplace

The demographics of the U.S. workforce are changing; large numbers of baby boomers are retiring and the young adults who are entering the labor force are more racially and ethnically diverse than at any other point in American history. There is a common challenge for employers who want to hire and retain young adult talent and for workforce development practitioners: how to set young workers up for success and advancement in the workforce. Given that workforce development organizations understand both young jobseekers’ and employers’ needs, they play an important role in engaging employers in conversations about practices that support positive youth development and in helping them foster environments that encourage development for all employees, including young employees. This Child Trends series of case studies draws on interviews and focus groups with employers, workforce development practitioners, and young adult workers in Chicago, Illinois and Birmingham, Alabama. The case studies aim to give workforce development practitioners an understanding of specific supervision, professional development, and worker voice practices that are currently being implemented by employers that align with positive youth development practices.