Invited Symposium II: Meeting Complexity of Economic Security through Workforce Development Strategies [presented in person and live streamed]

Young people's ability to accumulate future wealth is related to their educational outcomes and their ability to secure employment which leads to increasing wages. For youth who do not matriculate in college, the ability to navigate a pathway to economic security may involve workforce development programs. While these programs are touted as solutions for disengaged youth and adults, the vocational skills youth receive in workforce development programs may not be sufficient for trajectory shifts. Programs that include content beyond vocational training may initiate shifts for youth when vocational training isn't enough. And for some youth, workforce development programs may indirectly pivot youth toward an even more precarious economic future. This symposium will describe some research and evaluation data on these issues and offer discussion of potential improvements for youth workforce development.