Sunday, May 23, 2010 | 1:38 p.m.
State employment officials say more than one in five Nevada teens can't find a job.
The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, which tracks the jobless rate, says March data shows 21.8 percent of 16 to 24-year-olds were unemployed. The rate, calculated over a 12-month moving average, is almost twice that of older age groups.
A state report found the 16-24 age group also fared worse than blacks, with 19.5 percent unemployment, and Hispanics, 17.9 percent, as well as adult men, 14.3 percent, and adult women at 9.9 percent.
State economist Bill Anderson says given Nevada's overall high rate of unemployment -- 13.4 percent -- young Nevadans face a tough challenge.
"There's stiff competition for jobs at all levels, but especially lower-skilled jobs typically filled by younger citizens in non-school months," he said.
Some teens rely on their families for spending money. But for those seeking work this summer, a tough time awaits, officials said.
"Employers are being very, very picky, and they can do so, there are so many people out of a job," said Michelle Aikin, Career Center counselor at Damonte Ranch High School.
Seventeen-year-old Brandy Sullivan said she filled out 15 applications before being hired at Papa Murphy's pizza.
"Everywhere I went, it seemed, they said they weren't hiring," she said.
And for many people this year, the stakes are higher. Jobs are needed not simply to stay busy, or earn spending money, but to help pay the family bills.
"We're seeing more turmoil, family stress, and teens competing with older people for fewer jobs," said Erik Schoen of Community Chest Inc., a Virginia City-based nonprofit resource center for rural counties in northwestern Nevada. "For teens, there are no magic bullets. They are at a disadvantage with not a lot of experience."
Even old standby employers, like governments with summer jobs at pools and other recreation facilities are cutting back, crimped by revenue shortfalls.
"Our parks and libraries are relying more on volunteers," said Jim German, Washoe County human resources manager. "We have hired some seasonal on a very limited basis. We used to have pool jobs, but (the recession) has pretty much wiped out our summer jobs."
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Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com
