New Power of Us Workforce Survey Report Provides First-of-its-Kind Insights into the Youth Fields Workforce
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AIR Media Contact:
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Wallace Foundation Media Contact:
Melissa Connerton
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New Power of Us Workforce Survey Report Provides First-of-its-Kind Insights into the Youth Fields Workforce
Arlington, Va. –The American Institutes for Research (AIR) has released results from a first-of-its-kind survey offering comprehensive insights into the youth fields workforce: adults who work with young people in strengths-based interest development and enrichment opportunities through community organizations, institutions, and agencies. The Power of Us Workforce Survey report summarizes findings from the national survey of current paid staff, exploring their career paths, professional learning, professional well-being, and compensation.
Adults in the youth fields play an essential role in young people’s development, engaging with children and young people across a range of activities that support their well-being and growth. The Power of Us Workforce Survey responds to the long-standing need to update, broaden, and deepen the understanding of who works with the nation’s young people. More than 10,000 youth-serving professionals from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam participated in the cross-sector survey. Respondents came from related but distinct youth-focused organizations, including school- and community-based afterschool programs; mentoring programs; summer camps; sports programs; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs; arts-based programs; youth employment programs; and more.
Report highlights include:
- Career Pathways: 62% of respondents first joined the youth fields due to a sense of purpose and commitment. They were drawn to and stay in the youth fields because they enjoy working with youth, find purpose in it, and have a personal connection to the communities, places, and experiences of the young people they support.
- Professional Learning: 84% of respondents reported they have access to professional learning through their organization and are eager learners. While many respondents have postsecondary degrees, there is no common educational pathway into the youth fields. There is a critical need for organizations to provide the time, space, and guidance for on-the-job training, as educational backgrounds and access to professional learning vary.
- Professional Well-being: 87% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed they feel valued at work, but 47% feel burned out. Respondents identified working conditions and inclusion as strengths of their workplace experience, with opportunities to improve these experiences for some respondents and—for many—to reduce stress and burnout.
- Compensation: 88% of respondents in leadership positions reported lower pay than school principals. Compensation and benefits are important, and respondents are craving more support. The Power of Us Workforce Survey uncovers the realities of pay and aspirations for better benefits in the youth fields and elevates the need for the recruitment and retention of qualified staff in these fields.
“Through the Power of Us Workforce Survey, we are learning more about the dedicated professionals in the youth fields,” said Dr. Deborah Moroney, Vice President at AIR. “The survey results provide important information and insights for organizations, policymakers, and stakeholders in their efforts to support and sustain a pipeline and pathways for youth work professionals."
“Youth workers are vitally important to the young people they support and to their families,” said Dr. Bronwyn Bevan, Vice President, Research at The Wallace Foundation. “This study not only brings greater recognition to this significant field, but it also provides baseline data that researchers and policymakers can use to further strengthen the youth fields workforce and the young people it serves.”
The survey is part of a larger Youth Fields Study, which was led by AIR and several partners and was funded by The Wallace Foundation. Additional resources, including a public dataset, are available for the field to explore the data and to launch discussions with colleagues: https://www.air.org/project/power-us-workforce-survey.
About AIR
Established in 1946, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance both domestically and internationally in the areas of health, education, and the workforce. With headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR has offices across the U.S. and abroad. For more information, visit www.air.org.
About The Wallace Foundation:
The Wallace Foundation is an independent, nonpartisan research foundation focused on the arts, school leadership, and youth development. Wallace collaborates with grantees and research partners to design and test innovative approaches to address pressing problems in the fields it serves. The evidence-based insights shared—searchable online and free of charge—support policymakers and practitioners in their efforts to improve outcomes, enhance community vitality, and help all people reach their full potential. www.WallaceFoundation.org
