Hope for the Young & Jobless?

In an economic climate that has eaten positions and prevented even the most experienced and qualified of workers from regaining employment, it's understandable when younger, less experienced hopefuls encounter difficulties in the job hunt. Naturally, the more things they lack -- education or experience, for example -- the more difficult it's going to be. In New York City, where 30% of young adults suffer from unemployment rooted in any variety of deficiencies, the Center for an Urban Future has found some hope for those who have unfortunately short resumés.

A think-tank based in Manhattan, The Center for an Urban Future. recently released a report identifying 26 entry-level occupations that they expect to experience substantial growth in the coming years. To boot, the vast majority of the occupations observed have few barriers to entry, making them readily available to those of the 30% who have limited education and work experience.

The report, which was funded by non-profit organization JobsFirstNYC, focused on jobs that have decent wages and offer workers a reasonable chance for advancement. Of the 26,000 annual jobs they expect to be created over the next decade, 15,000 have average annual salaries of $25,000. The remaining 11,000 jobs, located in the retail and hospitality sectors, were included in the report because they could provide valuable job experience and training to young adults who have been only intermittently employed thus far (read: resumé fodder).

Jobs included in the report include para-transit drivers, who are expected to be in short supply as New York City's elderly population is on pace to grow by 35% by 2030, and medical assistants, who are expected to be in demand for much the same reasons. The continued promulgation of banks throughout the city will provide ample opportunities for aspiring bank tellers at a salary of $12 to $15 an hour, while the no doubt thankless occupation of bill collector is expected to grow 8.6% by 2018 and pay a median salary of $40,000.

Property maintenance, or janitorial positions, are expected to be available at an average rate of 1,700 per year with a median salary of $30,870, with general maintenance and repair positions offering a median salary of $45,060 annually becoming available at a rate of 700 per year. The utilities workforce is also expecting mass retirements, since 20.1% of workers were between the ages of 55 and 61 in 2010.

The "Now Hiring” Job Index

Job requirements include a high school diploma or equivalency (i.e., GED), a driver's license, or some on-the-job training. The report notes, however, that there remain some difficulties in getting the city's young adults into these vacancies. Proposed solutions include helping prospective employees get their driver's licenses, which has been identified as a major barrier to young adult employment, and creating sectoral workforce programs geared towards young adults. It solidly concludes, however, that it will take a tremendous effort by policy makers, non-profit organizations, and employers to optimize the opportunity.