Webinar Encourages Small Businesses To Support Nation’s Youth

A free webinar open to small businesses across the country seeks to develop new sources of skilled entry-level talent, expand opportunities for the nation’s youth. The webinar is part of Small Business Majority’s national sign-on campaign, which asks small employers to pledge to create professional opportunities for young people to help bridge the gap between youth who are out of school and out of work, and small businesses having a hard time filling entry-level positions.

“It is important for small business owners to know that helping young people and making a

profit are not mutually exclusive,” notes Jarvez Hall, Workforce Initiatives Manager for Small Business Majority. “Small business owners from across the country have pledged their commitment to expanding opportunities for today’s youth. As a result, many have benefited from new sources of skilled entry-level talent.”

Nearly five years have passed since the end of the Great Recession, yet, 6 million young Americans are unemployed–a staggering number that negatively affects economic demand. At the same time, small employers are struggling to fill job vacancies that are critical to both individual company success and overall economic growth. In fact, some 40% of American employers cite lack of skills as the main reason for entry-level vacancies.

Small Business Majority’s campaign aims to help solve this problem by getting small businesses–our No. 1 job creators–involved in helping develop entry-level talent, expand opportunities for youth who are out of school and out of work, and invest in our communities, adds Hall.

Small Business Majority is a national organization founded and run by small business owners to focus on solving problems, which includes advocating for policies that create jobs and maximize

business opportunities and cost savings in healthcare reform, clean energy, access to capital and other areas. The small business community is vast and diverse and dynamic representing 6 million small employers with 43 million employees and nearly 22 million self-employed people, with varying political points of view. But they have at least one critical thing in common: they create jobs.

Naomi Ulsted, Director of Springdale Job Corps, which is co-hosting the webinar, says the webinars will provide information to small business owners about how to create opportunities for young people. “We want to partner with small business owners to contribute to their success and increase employment for our young adults.”

Specifically, the webinar will discuss:

• How youth unemployment affects the economy and local communities
• How small businesses can be part of the solution
• How small businesses can incorporate direct youth hires, internships, apprenticeships, mentorships and job shadow programs into their daily business

A question and answer period will follow the discussion. To learn more visit: www.smallbiz4youth.com. The webinar will take place on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at Noon PT. Click Here to Register.