In January 2024, the Shift Project and the Annie E. Casey Foundation hosted a learning session where more than two dozen practitioners and academics convened to discuss key elements of a supportive workplace environment, particularly for vulnerable young workers. The group also provided input on potential survey measures to capture young workers’ experiences with systems involvement and assess overall workplace climate.
The learning session informed a new Shift Project initiative to design survey items that capture adverse early life experiences and evaluate supportive workplace environments. Future analyses will leverage these novel data resources to inform researchers, policymakers, and practitioners about the types of settings that effectively support young workers and help launch them on a positive career and life trajectory.
