One New Year’s Resolution Worth Keeping: Empower America’s Youth - Our Future Workforce

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the United States, approximately three million high school graduates, and more than a million college graduates, will make up a massive “youth workforce” entering the job market in 2017 - this is particularly relevant as America’s workforce potential is certain to be highlighted this Friday at the inauguration of America’s 45th President, and as a new Congress and administration make a renewed commitment to prioritizing job creation across the country.  Although 32 percent of people’s first jobs are in the retail industry, the number of hires these days is not keeping pace with the sector’s growth - due to a skills shortage fed by gaps in education and training. In other words, a lag in workplace readiness. This weighs heavily on an industry that is becoming more sophisticated every day. And that’s why a key focus of this week’s “Big Show” will be discussing companies’ workforce planning priorities, and how retailers can better attract, develop, and retain young talent, to both jobs and all-important internships.