House Labor and Workforce Development Committee to discuss youth unemployment in Ellensburg this Friday, Oct. 25

House Labor and Workforce Development Committee to discuss youth unemployment in Ellensburg this Friday, Oct. 25

With Washington state consistently having one of the highest teen unemployment rates in the nation, Rep. Matt Manweller hopes a state committee work session this week will bring more attention to the issue.

The House Labor and Workforce Development Committee is scheduled to meet at Central Washington University on Friday, Oct. 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. The committee will review data on youth unemployment, laws and rules for minor workers, and reasons for and solutions to youth unemployment.

“Much of our young adult population is missing out on that window to get a job, build some skills and develop a work ethic. They need opportunities and experiences in the job market or they will be less likely to earn a good wage in the future and more likely to be an economic liability on their communities. This is not a group we can write off. We need to give them a chance to work,” said Manweller, R-Ellensburg. “I appreciate the chair of the committee allowing us to have this work session. I am hopeful it is the start of meaningful dialogue and solutions that will allow our young population to earn a paycheck. If any other demographic was experiencing such a high unemployment rate, we would consider it unacceptable.”

In 2012, Washington’s youth unemployment rate for ages 16-19 was 28.6 percent, or seventh highest in the nation.

The work session is being held in Central Washington University’s Student Union/Recreation Center in room 215A. The address of the building is 1007 N. Chestnut Street, Ellensburg, WA 98926.

For more information about Rep. Manweller, visit: www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/manweller.

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