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SALT LAKE CITY — Young people packed into an event today in downtown Salt Lake, not to see the latest Hollywood blockbuster, but trying to kick-start their future in a tough job market.
It's hard to define the unemployment rate for young people, but experts believe it's about twice as high as for adults. And in this tough economy, there's another big problem: adults are going down the ladder and taking jobs, like fast food, that young people used to get.
A Youth Job Fair packed them in at the Salt Lake City Public Library.
Justin Parry and Tylor Draper have grown into adulthood in one of the toughest job markets in generations.
"There's a lot of people out of work and the jobs are hard to find," Parry said. "I've been out nearly every day looking for a job. I've been online. And I've had no luck."
Draper added that he, too, has put out applications "everywhere."
"It's just really hard," he said. "It doesn't seem like anyone's hiring. It's even not picking up."
The job fair is a chance for job seekers to hook up with potential employers, and to get training in how to get a job. What to wear, how much piercing and tattooing ought to show in an interview, and how to write a resume are all questions that have to be addressed.
"The more tools you have in your toolbox, you're going to have a better shot at getting that job," said Curt Stewart, a spokesman for the Utah Department of Workforce Services.
I've been out nearly every day looking for a job. I've been online. And I've had no luck.
–Justin Parry
Many of the teens and young adults at the fair were disadvantaged by social or economic circumstances. Some had criminal records, and many were high school dropouts. Some are now getting back on track with help from the LYFE program run by the Utah Department of Workforce Services. The kids are guided to, not just jobs, but high school diplomas and even college.
"I've told all my friends about it that don't have high school diplomas," Parry said. "I say, go there, they've helped me tremendously."
Draper, too, said it had changed his life "tremendously."
"I'm here to hopefully get a job and move on in life," he said. "It's time to grow up, you know, and let kids be kids."
Economists for the Department of Workforce Services said the job picture for youth is beginning to brighten, but it has been and will be a slow recovery, with no magic solutions in sight.
