Why You Should Hire Opportunity Youth
One of the biggest challenges and, at times, joys of building a thriving nonprofit organization is finding driven team members who are as committed to the mission as you are. Because your organization is dedicated to causes that fall outside the profit motive, it’s important that you hire people who bring a unique perspective and personal investment to your mission, rather than just hiring based on skills and experience. This process can be highly rewarding, as it puts you in touch with a wide range of candidates who have some personal interaction with your organization’s cause, some of whom you might not meet in a private or public sector hiring process.
One group that many organizations are investing in is called “opportunity youth”, which means young people between the ages of 18-24 who are either un- or underemployed and are not taking part in college or advanced training. Because of the precarious nature of their position, these young people are sometimes passed over for entry level jobs, but some HR professionals are pushing back against this. As a nonprofit professional, consider hiring and training opportunity youth, as they often bring a unique perspective, high technical literacy, and are often willing to invest in organizations that invest in them. Here are some key considerations if you choose to hire opportunity youth:
Understanding opportunity youth
Opportunity youth is made up of 5 million people who are living in challenging circumstances, which can be the cause of a multitude of factors. Some came through the foster care system, have had brushes with law enforcement, or lived with housing instability. Others may be unable to afford the skyrocketing cost of college in the United States or are unwilling to incur a large debt to attend. Some may also be unable to work a full-time job, because of personal health issues or because they need to help with domestic care for a family member.
These factors can make it difficult for them to find even entry-level work, particularly work that offers some training or advancement, but they do not in any way mean opportunity youth lack drive, dedication, or passion for a particular cause. On the contrary, their precarity has in many cases put them in direct contact with nonprofit organizations, which can give them an added interest in and appreciation for mission-driven work and the benefits it can bring.
Hiring opportunity youth
If you feel that recruiting from this cohort could benefit your organization, or that you understand the moral and societal benefits of helping young people living in these circumstances, consider exploring the possibility of an opportunity youth hiring program. There are a few ways to reach out to opportunity youth about employment opportunities, so it’s worth working with your HR or hiring managers to brainstorm the most logical method for your organization and location. Here are some approaches:
Organizational partnerships
Some organizations are dedicated to promoting youth employment and training, and a partnership with them can help connect you with opportunity youth who are already interested in your organization’s work. You can work with these organizations to hire for just one role or design a whole program that meets the unique needs and goals of opportunity youth employees.
Networking
Your team, professional network, or work in the field can be an invaluable way to reach members of this group, allowing you to start a dialogue about their needs and skills, and assess their interest in working for you. You may already have volunteers who are opportunity youth, or you can use your employees, volunteers, and fellow organizations to put out the call for young, driven employees.
Direct outreach
Taking part in local job fairs at high schools, religious organizations, and other establishments can help you build up a program as well, putting you in touch with young people who may not be sure about their next steps or the feasibility of college. You can also partner with foster care services or youth diversion programs to help give young people an idea of the kind of work you do and what you can offer them.
Supporting opportunity youth hires
An opportunity youth hiring program doesn’t focus solely on recruitment — learning about, supporting, and training your new hires is critical for them to flourish as members of your organization.
What do opportunity youth want?
Research on young people in the workforce, whether college educated, vocationally trained, or otherwise, shows that they have a unique set of desires and expectations. Some of the key characteristics that younger hires value are an investment in sustainability and ethics in the workplace, a clear and rewarding career path, and flexibility.
- More young workers report wanting to feel that their work is benefitting the world, or at least that the organization they work for is not causing harm or growing unsustainably. Nonprofits have an advantage here, as they can usually point to abundant evidence that they are helping others.
- Young people are far more likely to move from job to job rapidly than older employees, and for good reason. Research shows that this is a more reliable and successful way to earn more money, as not all organizations are willing to spend on training or offer competitive raises and benefits. For opportunity youth, these kinds of benefits are crucial, as they may not yet have the skills, education, or experience to move to another role.
- Flexibility is a key consideration for younger workers, and this applies to opportunity youth as well. The growth and ubiquity of remote work, the technological changes that have led to much more asynchronous work, and the ever increasing amount of time workers spend commuting has made flexibility key. Opportunity youth may have other obligations or limitations that require them to work a nonstandard schedule, work from home, or other unique situations.
ABOUT US
For more than 40 years, 501(c) Services has been a leader in offering solutions for unemployment costs, claims management, and HR support to nonprofit organizations. Two of our most popular programs are the 501(c) Agencies Trust and 501(c) HR Services. We understand the importance of compliance and accuracy and are committed to providing our clients with customized plans that fit their needs.
Contact us today to see if your organization could benefit from our services.
Are you already working with us and need assistance with an HR or unemployment issue? Contact us here.
The information contained in this article is not a substitute for legal advice or counsel and has been pulled from multiple sources.
(Image Credit: Canva.com)
