Pivoting in a complex society: Religious congregations’ role in youth development and workforce outcomes

The future of work around the world centers on preparing youth to navigate globalization, automation, and migration. This preparation typically includes both hard and soft skills centered on the ability to pivot their skillsets and engage in various work, cultural, and social settings in the future workplace. Understanding the limitations of school systems and many family units, this study focused on religious congregations as possible facilitators of youth preparation for the global new reality in both local and national workforces. This exploratory study surveyed clergy and youth leaders (N = 108) in Philadelphia (United States) regarding congregational youth preparation for a seemingly simultaneously globalizing and nationalizing society. The results indicate a gap between the perception of youth's preparation for a global society and congregations' actual programs. We recommend that religious congregations reorganize to help youth navigate and prepare for their future work and involvement in a global society at the local level.