Older and Looking for Work: A Mixed Record Cecilia A. Conrad Dept. of Economics Pomona College

Older and Out of Work by Race Among older workers,unemployment rates are slightly higher for Latinos than for blacks or whites. White-5.05%; Black- 5.06%; Latino 6.67% Higher percentage of black and Latinos than whites, 55 and older, in retired, disabled category. (CPS, Jan 2004) Black older workers have longer duration of unemployment than white workers. (CPS, Jan 2004) White-28 weeks; Black-34 weeks; Latino-25 weeks.

Older and Out of Work by Race Higher percentage of black and Latino dislocated workers who receive UI exhaust those benefits. (CPS, Jan 2004) White- 43%; Black - 54%; Hispanic - 67%. Black unemployed older workers more likely to use public employment service than older white workers. (CPS, Jan 2004) White- 6%; Black- 16.7%; Hispanic - 7.7%.

Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, 2005

Findings from A Mixed Record Blacks and Latinos were less likely to receive training services By its own performance measures, WIA Adult program less successful for Black and Latino job seekers. Racial differences less pronounced in WIA Dislocated Workers program.

Do These Results Hold for Older Workers? Older workers less likely than younger workers to receive training services. For workers 55 and older, Blacks and Latinos were less likely to receive training services Entered Employment rate is lower for Blacks and Latinos than Whites Racial differences less pronounced in WIA Dislocated Workers

Black and Latino Workers Less Likely to Receive Training Services Source: Source: Federal Research & Education Databases Ad Hoc Analysis Tool, Data covers services Received, July 1, 2000-June 30, 2004www.fred-info.org

Black and Latino Workers Have Lower Entered Employment Rates Source: Source: Federal Research & Education Databases Ad Hoc Analysis Tool, Data covers services Received, July 1, 2000-June 30, 2004www.fred-info.org

Why the Mixed Record? Performance Measures Create Incentives for Cream Skimming Lack of credibility with employers Financial constraints on program No strategy to address discrimination by employers or within One-Stop centers

Policy Recommendations Performance measures and funding formulas that are more sensitive to differences in worker employability Expand and customize services to employers and measure performance Develop strategies to uncover and respond to racial discrimination, for example, service audits, cultural competence training, anti-racism training.