GREENVILLE, N.C. - Unemployment is not only about adults. Young people between the ages of 16 and 19 are also feeling the effects of this economy.
The unemployment rate among teenagers in North Ccarolina is 26.6%, higher than the national teen average.
9OYS found out how teens and their families are dealing with the job crunch.
Searching for jobs is a daily grind for the Stocks family. Adrian Stocks supports six children, all of them teenagers.
"With all of us in here--I'm the only working person and I'm pulling the full weight,” Stocks said. She’s counting on her children to land summer jobs.
Organizations like STRIVE and Youth@Work try to help them find jobs when school's done for the year.
But these days certain summer jobs will be harder to come by. The Employment Security Commission says seasonal part-time work during May, June and July is far from a guarantee.
"In an economy like we've got their resumes end up on the same desk as older workers who are fighting for a job right now,” said ESC public information officer Larry Parker. “With over 500,000 people out of work--it's making it difficult for those younger kids to get a job."
This tough economy finds young people competing for jobs like lawn care against adults.
Older and more qualified workers are taking jobs they didn't pursue before because they have to as a matter of survival.
Senator Richard Burr is pushing the Workforce Investment Act in congress. It's a federal job training effort designed to put more teenagers to work.
Jobs that families like the Stocks are depending on.
Youth@Work is a statewide program that helps young find jobs year round.
It's available for anyone between 14 and 24-years-old.
For more information use the key words: Teen Job Pool.
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