Population in focus: what works for young adults?
For more information about the programs covered in this profile, use the hyperlinks in Exhibit 1 below.
Overview
Are you looking for the best ways to support the young adults you serve? Young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 can face unique challenges and opportunities as they transition into the labor market. This Population in Focus page summarizes what we know about how labor market outcomes for young adults experiencing economic hardship are affected by programs that aim to improve their education, employment, and economic self-sufficiency.
What works
As of April 2023, the Pathways to Work identified 14 programs that served young adults and had at least one study with evidence rated high or moderate. These 14 programs were described in 14 studies. Across all programs measuring impacts on a given outcome domain—earnings, employment, public benefit receipt, and education and training—the programs with the largest long-term effects and a supported rating were the following: