Can Apprenticeships Help Reduce Youth Unemployment?

This report from The Century Foundation looks at how a nationwide apprenticeship program could help cut high youth unemployment rates by providing higher starting pay, placing youth into jobs, and satisfying the needs of employers that are having difficulties finding workers to fill skilled job openings. The report also looks at historical concerns related to apprenticeships, including lack of gender diversity and the possibility of supplanting higher education and paths to college for children from working class families. It suggests that if nationwide apprenticeship designers keep in mind criteria to combat objections to youth apprenticeships, such a program will provide a skilled workforce for businesses and a pathway to employment for youth not working or in school.