Youth unemployment: Implications for social work practice

Abstract

This article discusses a missing but emergent role of social work with unemployed young people. The authors highlight the transitional and structural factors of youth unemployment. Using a social work lens, the ''Youth Employment Network'' (YEN) is discussed and the International Labour Organization's ''4Es'' (employability, equal opportunity, employment creation, entrepreneurship) framework is elaborated. This article adds a fifth ''E'' (Ecological connection) and proposes a ''5Es'' model for social workers to support unemployed young people to overcome transitional and structure barriers for employment. Findings: Limited social work programs, studies, or evaluations are targeted for unemployed young people despite historical concern with employment conditions of workers

Developing Social Entrepreneurship as an Intervention to Enhance Disadvantaged Young People’s Sense of Self-Worth and Career Competence in Hong Kong

“…Employment with decent and productive work usually represents an important step in a young person’s successful transition to adulthood—a milestone towards independence and self-reliance (Liang et al 2017 ). For young people living in poverty and disadvantaged situations, employment is the main route for moving out of poverty and having upward social mobility.…”

“…Jobs facilitate trust, civic engagement, and economic development when young, skilled labors can enter into an economy and contribute to sustain and increase its productivity and competitiveness in the global market place (Pieters 2013 ; United Nations 2007 ). Although employment is crucial for young people’s personal development and society’s solidarity, the ratio of youth unemployment is always up to three times higher than the adult unemployment in the local and global contexts (International Labour Organization ILO 2017 ; Liang et al 2017 ).…”

“…Obviously, joblessness means more than a lack of income. Economically, when there is a mismatch between the education and skills training young people received and the demands of the market place, or if job opportunities cannot be secured, young people are more likely rely on their family or welfare for support, which can be a burden on society (Jacob 2008 ; Liang et al 2017 ). The school-to-work transition of young people also closely links with other important life transitions, such as marriage and childbearing.…”

“…In Hong Kong, the government has set up a HK$500 million (around US$65 million) social innovation and entrepreneurship Fund, under the operation of the efficiency unit, to support and encourage young start-ups to realize their innovative ideas into business plans. NGOs are also supported by the government and private sector to provide entrepreneurial-related services, such as offering seed money, office spaces, mentorship, facilities, administrative support, or networking with relevant backups, helping young people start their business (Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups 2011 ; Liang et al 2017 ). Recently, the Innovation and Technology Bureau was also successfully established at the policy level to minimize bureaucratic red tape and encourage new industries, jobs, and small- and medium- sized enterprises; thus, more employment opportunities can be created.…”

Labour Market Transition: Barriers and Supports for First Generation Immigrant and Refugee Youth

“…Within the social work profession, there has long been recognition of unemployment as the source of many service users' problems and social workers have long been working with those who are unemployed (Briar, 1980). However, little is in place that concretely situates the role of social work in assisting those who are seeking employment (Liang, Ng, Tsui, Yan, & Lam, 2016). Sherraden (1985) argues that unemployment is a burden placed particularly on non-white people.…”