Currently the percent of unemployed workers in the country stands at 7.6 percent, according to U.S. Labor statistics released last week. But the percentage of unemployed among minorities is normally twice as high. Unemployment among Black men, for example, is 15.8 percent — up from 9.2 percent a year ago — according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
As the recession deepens, the numbers continue to get worse. More than 2 million Americans have been laid off in the last three months.
Before working in customer service for United Air Lines, Mehta worked as an accounting purchasing manager for another company. He now struggles to support his three children — including two daughters who are in medical school — with his unemployment benefits and his wife’s income. His son will soon enter college.
Despite the grim economy, Mehta isn’t giving up hope. When he heard about the free tuition at Oakton Community College, he realized that it could lead to a stable paycheck, even if the job is in a totally different field than what he’s already trained to do.
The college’s tuition-free program is only open to residents like Mehta. He has enrolled in four classes in the school’s green marketing program. “I’ll be paying for the books and probably some other fees,” Mehta says. “I have no other choice so I have to make it possible.
“As long as they’re taking good care of the major part of the amount, that’s not bad,” he adds. “It’s better than not getting educated.”
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