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TD Magazine Article

Member Benefit

NewCollar Worker

Published Mon Aug 01 2005

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This article presents information on the values and goals of a new class of youth employees in the U.S. A recent study found that 53 percent of the U.S. population aged 18 to 25 is working class, but not all of those young people can be classified under the traditional blue-collar label. A new category of working class youth is emerging. It calls them "gold collar" workers. They work in new industries and have no clear career path, but many options. They are often new to the United States, as recent immigrants or children of immigrants. They determine status through high-end fashion, technology, and so forth . They put independent living on the backburner to avoid sacrificing consumerism. They aspire to middle class or celebrity occupations. This group will be very loyal employees if they're treated reasonably well. Employers should treat them as adults who have a long-term need for employment, not as kids who can't be relied upon. They are very different from students who have a short-term orientation. They are worth the investment in training as they are looking for stable routine positions.

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