Press Release

USA Today: More Younger Workers Finding Jobs

Monday, March 12, 2012

By Paul Davidson

The job outlook is brightening for younger workers, who were hit hard in the recession and play a vital role in the economy.

Jobs for 25-to-34-year-olds increased by 116,000 to 30.5 million in February. Their unemployment rate fell from 9% in January to 8.7%, the lowest since January 2009, according to the Labor Department.

Just as important, the portion of Americans in that age bracket who were employed - known as the employment-to-population ratio - rose to 74.7% from 74.5% and is up from a 29-year low of 73.2% in July. In a normal economy, about 80% of 25-to-34-year-olds have jobs.

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In recent months, with consumer and businesses confidence improving, employers have grown more comfortable hiring younger workers, especially those who have advanced degrees, says Al Clark, president of Management Recruiters of Chattanooga, Tenn. "During the downturn, they depended on more tenured workers," he says.

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