White House Announces Summer Jobs Initiative

[bigtree]

January 5th, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is looking to boost summer job prospects for kids.

The White House says that with help from the private sector it’s gotten commitments for nearly 180,000 youth employment opportunities for next summer and is aiming for tens of thousands more.

Obama says that with young people facing record unemployment the government must do everything it can to make sure they have opportunities to learn skills and a work ethic.

The summer jobs plan is to be announced Thursday. It’s the administration’s latest “We Can’t Wait” initiative to go around Congress. Many of the positions would be unpaid training opportunities


read: http://www.longislandpress.com/2012/01/05/white-house-announces-summer-jobs-initiative/

[Thaddeus Kosciuszko]

1. "Many of the positions would be unpaid training opportunities"

I suspect that the "trainers" will be compensated very well though.

[bigtree]

2. my own life experience

. . . gives me an understanding of just how critical that initial work experience can be for youth. I suspect that you know very little about the value or experience of volunteer positions which feature or provide some type of skill-set training for youth. It's incredible that anyone would try and discourage this . . .

[exboyfil]

8. I guess I have to wonder about jobs in

which you are adding value but are not compensated for it. I would discourage my children from pursuing occupations with unpaid internships. How the internship is valued is how the job is also valued for which you are preparing. I have always been uneasy about the student teacher unpaid teaching experience for this reason. Since that is in the public sector, a case can be made for it. Another case is that it is true training in which the organization is deriving limited benefits. Where it gets really hairy is in the private sector. Unpaid journalism internships are probably the most glaring example. Why anyone would want to pursue such an occupation is beyond me?

To put it in perspective engineering interns make from $15-$20/hr.

Some volunteer positions do derive additional benefits such as recommendations to professional schools (like medicine). Even that approach has a market equivalent (CNA, Paramedic, etc).

Unpaid positions that set individuals up for future opportunities is another way to exclude those who cannot afford to volunteer because they need to work to pay for school and living expenses.

Teenagers should be compensated for the work that they do like anyone else. It is ridiculous to have internships such as sales in a clothing store for example - that is just exploitation.

[FreakinDJ]

11. Your right - that is just exploitation

An engineering internship is a means to solidify years of study in abstract mathmatics to the real world - (ask me how I know) and an invaluable tool in the eduction of an engineering student.

Internships at McDonalds is a means to exploit kids

Ever see the "New Store Training" at Walmart. Its more of a full on "Propaganda Indoctrination" complete with pay-offs to the management who will ultimately make "Cuts" of the new hires to see who gets to stay.

Most thoroughly disqusting thing I have ever seen in my professional life

[Fumesucker]

6. You can't expect people with marketable skills to work for nothing..

I do think all the "trainers" should be required to take and pass the HS exit exam applicable in their state however.

We wouldn't want our students taught by people who know less than they do.

[PA Democrat]

10. That will help pay outrageous college tuition, won't it?

My son has friends who worked at unpaid internships last summer. They are fortunate enough to have wealthy parents.

[Fumesucker]

3. Get more adults employed..

When adults are chasing the jobs teenagers would normally take it doesn't leave as much room for teenagers.

[piratefish08]

4. let's get the parents back to work first.

how about a Jobs Bill with an actual job in it?

[SpiralHawk]

5. "No. No no no no no no." - Republicons (R)

"We don't need no steenkin jobs for American proles. We need more more more tax cuts for the wealthy. Smirk. Sneer."

- Republicons (R)

[babylonsister]

7. Rec'd. Great opportunity for some young adults to get experience, which is what

so many companies are looking for.

I'll take good news anywhere I can get it.

[99Forever]

9. Could we possibly get a jobs program for grown ups..

... such as myself? Sorry to say that I really can't work for free however, having gone without a paycheck or an Unemployment Benefit for almost two years now, the getting paid part of it is kind of important to me.

Although, being invisible as we are, I doubt we'll be heard, seen, or helped.

[gkhouston]

12. So, months from now, kids might get an "unpaid training opportunity".

And that will help their unemployed parents how? Should I conclude they lack skills and a work ethic?