Engaging Young Professionals in the Workforce

By Grace Riley, Talent Acquisition Specialist

The importance of engaging young professionals in the workforce cannot be overstated. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the U.S. labor force participation rate—the share of the population age 16 and older working or looking for work—dropped to its lowest level since 1976 (excluding the COVID-19 pandemic) in June. A significant portion of this drop is attributed to ages 25-55. This trend continued into July and August.  

Multiple factors contributed to this drop, including lowered estimates of immigration; however, two key issues continue to present themselves: aging workforce and perception of the job market (Bick, 2026). As older workers exit the workforce, it is critical to plan for who will eventually step into their place. This is a challenge, as salaried entry-level job openings have dropped 73% over the past four years (Nietzel, 2026). This contributes to a growing sentiment among young people and college graduates that the workforce doesn’t have space for them. 

So how can we help create sustainable pathways for employing the upcoming generation? 

• Engage with workforce organizations promoting Work-Based Learning  

• Invest your time in supporting young professionals through mentoring, sharing your knowledge, and broadening their network 

• Ensure your organization is up to date on hiring best practices, especially as AI enters the conversation  

• Build pathways for advancement within your organization, beginning at entry level, and evaluate training programs regularly  

• Expand recruitment efforts to include community colleges, technical schools, and satellite campuses   

Interested in hiring emerging talent within a 200-mile radius of Northern Kentucky? Connect with Grace Riley (grace.riley@nkadd.org), NKY Works Talent Acquisition Specialist, to discuss your workforce needs as she connects with universities across the region.