COVID impacts on U.S. youth workforce system: challenges and opportunities

ABSTRACT Youth who are not engaged in school or work face many challenges as they transition into adulthood. In the United States, federal policy provides funding and oversight to a complex, community-based system of workforce development for this youth population, as well as adults with barriers to employment. The COVID-19 pandemic caused extensive disruption to this system, as well as the overall employment and education sectors. This study examines the impacts of COVID on the delivery of workforce services to the youth population. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 61 respondents involved in planning and delivery of services in different regions of the U.S. Key themes from the interviews included: challenges of operating during the pandemic, adaptations to these challenges, and fears for impacts on young people. Although greatly impacted by the pandemic, respondents reported several innovations but continuing concerns regarding effects on vulnerable youth and widening societal inequalities related to poverty and race. Based on these data, we offer several ideas for further development in policy and practice to learn from the experiences reported.