In the late seventies I was a young college grad in an economy that seemed every bit as bad as the current job market. Decent paying jobs were hard to find, and there were plenty of more experienced workers competing for those jobs.
CETA saved me from the cheese line.
The Comprehensive Education and Training Act was the brainchild of President Carter's Administration. It's roots went back to Roosevelt's WPA. What
CETA did was to pay for half of the salary of unemployed workers to do jobs in cash-strapped public agencies and non-profit organizations. It was a 12 month subsidy to provide critical job experience and help public agencies at the same time.
I worked hard, did good work, learned some great job skills, and spent every cent I made in the local economy. In his 1981 State of the Union address, President Carter reminded Americans that his focus on jobs growth had resulted in the addition of 9 million new jobs during his administration - nearly 10% growth in employment. It is time for a new
CETA.
