08.08.2015 Views

Economic Report of the President

Report - The American Presidency Project

Report - The American Presidency Project

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS
  • No tags were found...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

disproportionately among youths with <strong>the</strong> fewest labor market skills.Thus, although <strong>the</strong> stated purpose <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> minimum wage is to reducepoverty, experience suggests that it may actually decrease <strong>the</strong> lifetimeearnings <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> poor and <strong>the</strong>reby increase income inequality.POLICIES TO REDUCE YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENTAlmost all observers agree that mitigating <strong>the</strong> problems <strong>of</strong> instabilityand high unemployment in <strong>the</strong> youth labor market requires increasing<strong>the</strong> availability <strong>of</strong> career-oriented employment and training.This can be accomplished through public support <strong>of</strong> training, minimumwage reforms, and employment tax credits.The Job Training Partnership ActThe Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) <strong>of</strong> 1982 represents amajor Federal initiative to reduce structural unemployment amongyouth and adults. The JTPA departs from previous Federal employmenttraining programs by establishing a formal partnership betweenprivate industry, <strong>the</strong> public sector, and vocational training institutionsfor <strong>the</strong> purposes <strong>of</strong> planning, designing, and providing federally financedtraining. Federal resources are targeted to individuals identifiedas most in need: economically disadvantaged youth, low-skilledand chronically unemployed adults, and skilled workers who have lostjobs in declining industries and regions. The problems faced by <strong>the</strong>latter group are discussed more fully later in this chapter.The JTPA is intended to fill an important niche in <strong>the</strong> national employmentand training system by serving individuals who are unableto make use <strong>of</strong> job training provided by more traditional institutions:high schools, vocational-technical schools, community colleges, universities,and employers. Federally funded training programs such asJTPA provide a second chance to youth and adults experiencingtrouble in <strong>the</strong> labor market. The JTPA is administered at <strong>the</strong> Stateand local level. This allows training programs to be tailored to <strong>the</strong>particular needs <strong>of</strong> workers and employers in local labor markets.Minimum Wage ReformsThe Administration will propose a summertime differential minimumwage for young people under <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 22. Between May 1and September 30 <strong>of</strong> each year <strong>the</strong> minimum wage for this groupwould be reduced to $2.50 from $3.35. This measure would encouragefirms to hire young people, just out <strong>of</strong> school, and give <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>experience needed to compete effectively in <strong>the</strong> labor market. It willalso encourage employers to provide youth who remain in schoolwith valuable work experience during <strong>the</strong> summer months.The Targeted Jobs Tax CreditAn alternative policy avenue for encouraging employment andtraining <strong>of</strong> young people is to provide tax credits or wage subsidies44

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!