Getting first job much harder for young Americans

BOSTON (WWLP) - A report released Monday has found that youth unemployment is soaring across the country, and has been doing so steadily in the past decade.

Nearly 6.5 million American teens and young adults are out of school and out of work. The Annie E. Casey Foundation says this trend leads to chronic underemployment for kids as they transition to adulthood. 

Indeed, the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center says finding that first job has become much more difficult for young people than ten years ago.

Some lawmakers say that the solution lies in promoting vocational schools to fill technical skills jobs in manufacturing, which have tens of thousands of openings in Massachusetts.

“Not everyone needs to go to four year schools or even community colleges,” said Sen. Stephen Brewer (D-Barre). “Machine shop jobs are paying $60-65,000 dollars a year. I believe there are opportunities that we need to meld our workforce and our job availability with young people.”

While the youth unemployment rate is up, more students are staying in school. The dropout rate in Massachusetts is down.