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SALT LAKE CITY — The number of teens and young adults with jobs is at the lowest level since the 50s, and though Utah has fared better than most other states, it has not escaped the drop.
According to a recent survey, only 36 percent of among 16- to 19-year old Utahns had jobs in 2011. That number was 71 percent among Utahns aged 20 to 24. Across the U.S., the employment rates were compares to 26 percent for teens and 61 percent for young adults.
The report, called "Youth and Work: Restoring Teen and Young Adult Connections to Opportunity", says the rate has been dropping like a rock for some time. Employment among teens has gone down by nearly half since 2000. Currently, 6.5 million young people are without work nationwide. One and a half million are parents already, further exacerbating the problems that come with lower employment.
A high school diploma, or equivalency, is as important as ever.
"You're seeing a lot of jobs that used to be done by high school students which are now done by college grads," said Terry Haven, deputy diretory of Voices for Utah, "or people who got laid off and that's what they could find. So, the job market became smaller for these kids."
At it's most recent job fair for youth, the Department of Workforce Services expected 200 to show up. They had more than 500.
The problem is especially hard for those in poverty and minority populations.
In Utah, 35 percent aged 16-19 and 71 percent aged 20-24 have jobs.
Nationwide, those numbers are 26 percent and 61 percent respectively.
California had the lowest rate at 18 percent, while North Dakota had the highest at 46 percent.
2.2 million teens are neither working, nor in school. 4.3 million young adults are in the same situation.
1.4 million teens and young adults are parents, but don't work or go to school.
"Although the employment rate fell significantly for all young people, the data show that those populations struggling most have less education, come from low income families and belong to a racial or ethnic minority," the report states. "Fewer than 1 in 6 black and Asian teenagers and 1 in 5 Hispanic teens were employed in 2011, with ratios even worse for black and Asian males."
The number of youth who are both out of school and out of work is on the rise as well, with the worst numbers found among those with the lowest income.
Teens from families that make less than $20,000 have a 21 percent "disconnection" rate, with a 30 percent rate among young adults. That's roughly 3 times the percentage of teens and young adults from families that make over $100,000.
The report cites several causes for the problem: fewer jobs available, jobs requiring higher skills and training for the same work, low and/or slow graduation rates from high school and college, among others.
The authors call for a comprehensive strategy to address youth employment.
"No one sector or system can solve this problem alone — it demands a collective and collaborative effort," said Patrice Cromwell, director of economic development at the Casey Foundation. "Businesses, government, philanthropy and communities must work together with young people to help them develop the skills and experience they need to achieve long-term success and financial stability as adults."
It should be noted that employment rates are not related to unemployment rates. Employment takes the total number in a population and tells you how many have a job. Unemployment rates only take into account those who are out of work, but are still actively looking for work, while ignoring those who are without work but not looking for it.
The report was released and funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and based data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Population Reference Bureau.
Utah's youth struggle to find work
Larry Soto is off to a job interview as a mechanic.
"It's a struggle nowadays to get a job because people who are in college are taking those jobs that are meant for the youth," Soto said.
The 18-year-old is right. So, a state program called LYFE, or Lifting Youth to Future Employment, helped him tune up his resume and prepare to compete in job interviews.
They have two orientations every Tuesday to help get the ball rolling.
Utahns aged 14 to 21 are eligible.
"A job's a job, right now," He said. "And it helps pay. Even if it's the smallest amount of money."
The percentage of "disconnected" youth rose from 11 percent to 15 percent over the last decade. That's why Mariah Garcia finished her high school diploma and plans to go to college.
"A lot of my friends and family are not able to get jobs right now," Garcia said.
She and her husband want better jobs for a better life for their baby. They'll consider non-paid internships that could lead to better paychecks in the future.
Guadalupe Ruiz is looking for a career, not just another job.
"I want to find something I'm happy doing, instead of coming home tired all the time," Ruiz said.