With young people facing record unemployment in the United States and his $1.5 billion youth jobs plan stuck in Congress, President Obama on Thursday announced the White House and private sector employers have committed to creating 180,000 low-income youth employment opportunities in the summer of 2012.
The Summer Jobs+ plan includes commitments from employers like Bank of America, CVS and Starbucks.
The White House said its goal is to reach 250,000 employment opportunities by the start of summer, with at least 100,000 in paid jobs and internships.
Within 60 days, the administration plans to launch an online search tool to help young people find job postings.
An analysis released by the White House Council for Community Solutions concluded that taxpayers in 2011 “shouldered more than $93 billion in direct costs and lost tax revenue to support young adults disconnected from school and work.”
The White House cited federal data showing 48.8 percent of youth between the ages of 16-24 were employed in last July, down from 59.2 percent five years ago and 63.3 percent ten years ago.
