"America's young people face record unemployment, and we need to do everything we can to make sure they've got the opportunity to earn the skills and a work ethic that come with a job. It's important for their future, and for America's. That's why I proposed a summer jobs program for youth in the American Jobs Act — a plan that Congress failed to pass. America's youth can't wait for Congress to act. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. That's why today, we're launching Summer Jobs+, a joint initiative that challenges business leaders and communities to join my Administration in providing hundreds of thousands of summer jobs for America's youth"

— President Barack Obama

Businesses, Non-Profits and Governments

Businesses can accept the President's call-to-action and make a "Pathways Pledge" by choosing at least one of the following three pathways to employment for low-income youth:

• Life Skills: Provide youth work-related soft skills, such as communication, time management and teamwork, through coursework and/or experience. This includes resume writing or interview workshops and mentorship program. 
•  Work Skills: Provide youth insight into the world of work to prepare for employment. This includes job shadow days and internships.
• Learn and Earn: Provide youth on-the-job skills in a learning environment while earning wages for their work.

Youth

Looking for ways to get a jump start on your career this summer? In the coming weeks, we will be launching a new online tool to help connect youth around the country with great opportunities for the summer of 2012. Sign up to be the first to know when the Summer Jobs+ Jobs Bank is live!

Resources

As the nation continues to recover from the deepest recession since the Great Depression, American youth are struggling to get the work experience they need for jobs of the future. According to the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• 48.8 percent of youth between the ages of 16-24 were employed in July, the month when youth employment usually peaks. This is significantly lower than the 59.2 percent of youth who were employed five years ago and 63.3 percent of youth who were employed 10 years ago. 
• Minority youth had an especially difficult time finding employment this past summer. Only 34.6 percent of African American youth and 42.9 percent of Hispanic youth had a job this past July.

Learn more about how summer jobs can make an impact in your community