Small Business Majority Announces Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action to Address Youth Unemployment

Denver, CO—Small Business Majority joined former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Denver today to announce the organization̢'s commitment to get 100 small employers to sign a pledge vowing to create job opportunities for young people to help bridge the gap between youth who are out of school and out of work, and small businesses having a hard time filling entry-level positions. Small Business Majority has committed to the Clinton Global Initiative to work with small businesses across the nation to create more pathways for youth employment.

"We're looking for small and medium-sized businesses because that̢'s where most of the jobs in the country actually come from, that's where young people need to be able to get their foot in the door," said Secretary Clinton. "Small Business Majority, in partnership with Goodbee and Associates, Intertech Plastics and many others, is committing to recruit 100 small businesses to create new youth employment opportunities and work toward a real small business movement to train and hire young people."

"It was great to discuss the types of opportunities available for youth right here in Denver with Secretary Clinton, and hear about her commitment to expanding pathways to success for young people," said Lisa Goodbee, owner of Goodbee & Associates, a civil engineering firm in Centennial, Co., and a member of Small Business Majority's Small Business Council. "A year and a half ago, I hired one of my engineers right out of school. At first it was a little bit of a challenge, as most of my staff are senior level engineers, but it has ended up being a supremely rewarding experience for me and a cost-effective one for my business. Often times, I think small business owners forget that by hiring someone right out of school, they can save money on payroll. Further, they have a fresh, excited worker who they can mold into the type of professional that best fits their company. Everyone benefits."

Small business owners are still recovering from the Great Recession and doing everything they can to fortify their businesses and our economy. In communities across the country, it is the jobs small businesses provide that keep our recovery moving. Despite their hard work, small employers are having a difficult time filling entry-level job vacancies. Given that 6.7 million young Americans are both out of school and out of work, small business owners have a unique opportunity to match young people ready and willing to work with employers who need their help to build and secure their business future, and with them, a stronger economy.

The campaign aims to help solve this problem by getting small businesses—our No. 1 job creators—to commit to taking one or more actions during the next two to three years to create opportunities for our youth, including increasing the number of opportunity youth hires within their company, expanding full or part-time internship programs and more.

Small Business Majority has been working nationally with small business owners on this issue to move the dial on youth opportunities. Secretary Clinton is prioritizing youth employment as one of the key issues for her work at the Clinton Foundation, and believes that business-led initiatives will play a critical role in addressing this important economic challenge. The Clinton Foundation is working closely with Small Business Majority, other leading nonprofits and businesses, economists and advocates across the country to identify and scale effective ways for companies to address their core business needs through engaging our nation̢??‰?s opportunity youth.

"It's important that we create professional opportunities for our youth, and the best way small employers can do that is by giving young people the chance to get hands-on experience," said John Arensmeyer, Founder & CEO of Small Business Majority. Far too many young Americans are struggling to find jobs after they leave school, which negatively affects economic demand. By solving this problem, we will foster better workforces, which will bolster small employers and our economy as a whole. We thank Secretary Clinton for her commitment to small business success and look forward to continuing to work on this issue."

To view or sign the pledge, please visit: www.smallbiz4youth.com. Learn more about Lisa's pledge here: www.smallbizsupportouryouth.com/testimonials/.

To schedule an interview with a small business owner who signed the pledge or a representative from Small Business Majority, contact Allison Abney at [email protected] or (202) 289-0957.