Latest news with #youthEmployment
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Detroit community activists step in to help those impacted by Job Corps closure
Hundreds of young people in the Detroit Job Corps received a message on Thursday, May 29, that the program would be closed on June 30. On Friday, they were then told they actually only had until 2 p.m. to pack up and get out, leaving many stunned and concerned for what's next. "They were in tears, they were crushed," said Terrance Willis, chairman at 12th Street Community Development Corporation. "This is heartbreaking, this is inhumane," said Detroit community activist, Pastor Mo. The federal government announced an immediate operational pause of the Job Corps program late last week, shocking hundreds of young adults. "They thought they were on a positive track, and then all of a sudden, they don't know what the next day is going to hold, so yeah, it's devastating," said Willis. Job Corps helps at-risk youth ages 16 to 24 improve their lives through vocational and academic training while also providing free education, housing, meals, and healthcare. Without this program, many would not have a career path or shelter. Pastor Mo spoke about one young man and his struggling homeless mother. "Put her son in Job Corps to get him out of her car, but when it shut down, it put the son back in the car, and his roommate, that didn't have anybody, she's taking him in, and we're trying to find her housing right now," he said. The story is one of many in the Detroit area. But the federal government says it made these cuts after an internal review of the program's outcomes. "A startling number of serious incident reports and our in-depth fiscal analysis reveal the program is no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve," said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. Pastor Mo says while he understands the program may need some improvements, he rejects the government's message and sudden closure of the Job Corps. "They're judging the corps by some statistics and some numbers. Sometimes, numbers don't tell the whole story," he said. He says that he, along with multiple others in Detroit, has been paying out of pocket to help some of those affected live in hotels while they find more permanent housing and careers.
Reuters
20-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
China's youth jobless rate drops in April to 15.8%
BEIJING, May 20 (Reuters) - The jobless rate for 16-to-24-year-olds in Chinese cities dropped in April to 15.8% from 16.5% in March, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday.
Hospitality Net
19-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Africa's Opportunity: Tourism Powered by Education and Skills
Tourism is one of Africa's most promising sectors, contributing approximately 8.5% to the continent's GDP and supporting over 24 million jobs, according to the African Union and the UN Tourism. It is not only a vital engine for economic growth but also a powerful catalyst for youth employment, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange. Africa's Demographic: A Catalyst for Growth Africa has one of the most favourable demographics globally. With over 70% of sub-Saharan Africa's population under the age of 30, and a median age of just 19 years, the continent is home to the youngest population in the world. According to the United Nations, this youth population is expected to double by 2050, creating an unparalleled opportunity for economic transformation if harnessed strategically. The youth bulge represents a massive potential workforce that can power the continent's development but only if given access to education, skills, and meaningful employment. Tourism, as a labour-intensive and inclusive sector, is ideally positioned to absorb this demographic dividend. Rising Middle Class: Driving Demand Furthermore, Africa's rising middle class estimated at over 313 million people, or more than 34% of the population (African Development Bank) is another transformative force. This emerging consumer base is driving demand for domestic travel, leisure experiences, and cultural tourism, thereby expanding internal markets and creating new business opportunities. Additionally, increased mobile and internet penetration, expanding aviation networks, and investments in infrastructure are removing historic barriers to tourism development and creating fertile ground for innovation and growth. A Strategic Vision for Youth Empowerment in Africa Despite its immense potential, many young Africans face systemic barriers to entering the tourism workforce, including limited access to quality education, inadequate skills training, and scarce professional development pathways. Addressing these gaps is critical to transforming the tourism landscape. If elected Secretary-General of UN Tourism, I propose a series of high-impact initiatives tailored to Africa's context and aspirations: 1. Establishment of Centres of Excellence in Tourism Education UN Tourism will spearhead the creation of regional 'Centres of Excellence', equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and curricula designed in partnership with leading universities and industry leaders. These centres will provide certified training in sustainable tourism, digital marketing, eco-tourism, hospitality management, and cultural heritage conservation, aligning academic knowledge with real-world needs. 2. Implementation of Tourism Apprenticeship Programs In collaboration with hospitality brands, travel companies, and destination management organizations, UN Tourism will facilitate structured apprenticeship programs. These will offer hands-on experience in operations, customer service, event planning, and eco-tourism, addressing the 'experience gap' often cited by employers and significantly increasing youth employability. 3. Creation of a Tourism Youth Council A Tourism Youth Council, comprising youth representatives from across African countries, will be established to inform and shape tourism policy. This council will act as a permanent advisory body to UN Tourism, ensuring that youth perspectives are heard in strategy development and national tourism planning. 4. Initiation of Community-Based Tourism Projects By empowering youth to design and lead community-based tourism initiatives, UN Tourism will encourage local entrepreneurship, preserve indigenous culture, and generate sustainable income. These projects will highlight Africa's diverse cultural assets while contributing to rural revitalization and inclusive economic growth. 5. Launch of a Tourism Research and Innovation Fund A dedicated fund will support young researchers and entrepreneurs to explore emerging tourism trends, digital transformation, green tourism practices, and local value chain integration. By investing in research and innovation, we will build a future-ready tourism workforce and policy environment. The Impact Through these initiatives, UN Tourism can: Create millions of new tourism-related jobs for young Africans by 2030 Foster a dynamic, entrepreneurial ecosystem around sustainable tourism Bridge the education-employment gap in the tourism value chain Promote peacebuilding, cultural understanding, and social cohesion Position Africa not just as a destination, but as a trailblazer in regenerative, inclusive tourism By investing in Africa's youth through education, skills development, and inclusive opportunities, we are not only shaping the future of tourism - we are shaping the future of the continent. This is more than a policy agenda; it is a call to action to unlock the full potential of a rising generation ready to lead, innovate, and transform. With the right support, Africa can become a global beacon for youth-led, sustainable tourism that is rooted in culture, driven by innovation, and powered by its people. The time to act is now, and UN Tourism must lead the way.
Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Times
Inside TikTok town: vast data centre sparks Chinese spying fears
Kouvola needs all the jobs it can get. Young Finns who have not already left a small city so drab it could be stuck in the Soviet Union struggle to find work. So when an international company called Hyperco announced it would exploit the freezing north's temperatures and ready access to cold water to build a data centre in the area, there was general acceptance of it being a pretty good thing. After all, the few million euros paid for a parcel of empty land seemed a good deal for everybody. • UK economy boosted as USS invests in Blackstone data centre plan Once the data centre was up and running by the end of next year there would be taxes, too, to collect from
Globe and Mail
15-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
The summer job market is getting trounced
Young Canadians have suffered the most in a weakening labour market – and the outlook doesn't look great, either. As of early May, summer job postings on Indeed Canada were down 22 per cent from last year, according to a new report from the job-search site. The decline is being driven by summer camp roles, which have tumbled by 32 per cent. As part of its analysis, Indeed tallied job postings with 'summer' (or in French, 'été') in the title, which included everything from camp counsellors to lifeguards and painters. Summer job postings typically peak from mid-April to mid-May, so the weak trend this year bodes poorly for the warmer months to come. 'The dip in job postings comes at a time when growth in youth employment has fallen far short of rapid population growth over the past two years, suggesting 2025 could be another difficult summer for seasonal job seekers,' wrote senior economist Brendon Bernard in the report. The youth unemployment rate (for those aged 15 to 24) hit 14.1 per cent in April, steadily rising from a low of 9 per cent in the summer of 2022. Higher interest rates, meant to curb inflation, have weighed on economic growth and job creation, while strong immigration has led to an influx of job seekers. Now, the U.S.-driven trade war is forcing some families to tighten their budgets and companies to scale back their hiring plans. 'With other risks to the Canadian labour market looming, there are few signs of near-term turnaround amid what's already a troubled job market for youth,' Mr. Bernard wrote. Decoder is a weekly feature that unpacks an important economic chart.
