Our Mission
We are committed to fostering collaboration among thought leaders, innovators, and practitioners who share a common dedication to centering youth voices and experiences as drivers for shaping the future of work.
Our Vision
We envision a world where youth flourish as they integrate the worlds of work and education.
Youth unemployment and inequity in college and career pathways are plaguing economies globally.
Young people across the globe are facing economic and social barriers to valuable college and career pathways. Youth unemployment (aged 16-24), which was already alarmingly high for low-income communities and communities of color in the United States, continues to rise following the COVID-19 pandemic as industries historically occupied by low-wage, young workers are shut down or eliminated.
We are in a both/and and not an either/or period in the current milieu, where the integration of research, policy, and practice is required now more than ever.
Fewer pathways into early employment rob young people of valuable work experience and, oftentimes, a wage that is critical for contributing to a family income. While local and state-funded opportunities for youth workforce development face devastating cuts as a result of the pandemic, high-growth and high-wage industries struggle to train our young workforce for jobs of the present and future. Likewise, as economies around the world adjust to new technologies and automation, the gap between skills acquired in traditional schooling and skills needed for jobs widens.
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Note: Estimates do not account for seasonal patterns.
Center Areas of
Focus and Impact
This partnership between the Fund for the City of New York (FCNY) and New York University (NYU) serves as an “action tank” that provides research, training, and technical support. This collaboration offers services to partners across various industries both in the United States and internationally. By incorporating cross-disciplinary perspectives, the partnership aims to innovate and implement effective solutions.
Our goal is to empower young people to achieve their full potential through work and career pathways. By providing tailored solutions and comprehensive training, we support the development of essential skills and career opportunities. In collaboration with our research efforts, we offer actionable solutions to address the challenges faced by young individuals in today’s job market.
Our Goals
Youth centered applied research on the policy, economics, practice, and partnerships needed to develop sound and effective youth workforce development strategies, such as youth apprenticeships and other work-based learning models, to inform programming and create sustained systems change.
- Collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including governments, nonprofits, educational institutions, and the private sector, in implementing and enhancing youth workforce initiatives.
- Provide guidance and technical assistance on practice to states and local governments; intermediaries (i.e. non-profits); philanthropy; K-12 and postsecondary institutions; and the private sector building or enhancing current youth workforce initiatives.
Provide evaluative services and how stakeholders can leverage research-based solutions to broaden the impact of their youth workforce programs.
- Training and development of leaders working with youth in work-based learning and youth apprenticeship programming.
- Curating leadership development opportunities for best practices.
Raise awareness of promising practice being conducted across the country and globally to develop stronger and more meaningful youth workforce participation, including the advancement of artificial intelligence and other technologies that are shaping career pathways.
Centralize a depository of research from multiple lenses focusing on elevating and promoting youth and the future of work.
Meet Our Founders
Dr. Lisette Nieves
Lisette Nieves is a co-founder of the Center for Youth & the Future of Work. She has dedicated her career to fostering collaboration among thought leaders, innovators, and practitioners who center youth voices and experiences. Her work is pivotal in shaping the future of work and education for young people.
Dr. Noel S. Anderson
Noel Anderson is a co-founder of the Center for Youth & the Future of Work. He brings extensive experience in educational leadership and policy, focusing on disrupting the divide between college and career pathways. His contributions are crucial in driving sustained change in youth workforce development.
Contact Us
Reach out to us for more information on our programs, partnerships, and how you can support youth employment and education.