A national coalition of leading U.S.-based companies committed to hiring at least 100,000 Opportunity Youth — 16 to 24 year olds who face systemic barriers to jobs and education — launched its efforts at a job fair in Chicago. The 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, supported by MacArthur through the Aspen Institute’s Forum for Community Solutions, brought together 29 companies spanning a number of industries that are committed to collectively hiring 100,000 Opportunity Youth by 2018 through apprenticeships, internships, training programs, and both part-time and full-time jobs. The coalition will work with community-based organizations and civic leaders to help deliver the local skills training and hiring opportunities young people need.
