Last modified: Friday, March 14, 2008 1:24 AM EDT Teens losing out on jobs BY RICK FOSTER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF ATTLEBORO - Experts say summer jobs for teenagers help young people develop work skills and gain a track record for future employment. But jobs for teens are increasingly scarce, says Christine LaChance, executive director of the School to Career Partnership that serves Attleboro, Foxboro, Norton and North Attleboro. "The last couple of years, it's gotten more difficult," said LaChance, who is spearheading the Hire A Teen, Brighten the Future Youth Job campaign that seeks to round up commitments from employers to hire youths for summer and after-school work. The campaign will be the focus of a televised "job-a-thon" from 1 to 4 p.m. April 8, at which volunteers will be soliciting job offers for teens. The telethon will be televised on North Attleboro cable access TV and other local channels. The campaign is also accepting donations toward subsidizing youth employment in area community service projects. A donation of $150 will pay one youth for one week of work, although any size donation is welcom, LaChance said. The restructuring of the local economy toward technology and service industries is one factor in falling demand for teen workers, LaChance said. Increased government regulations and the decision by many corporations and retail chains to limit hiring to workers 18 or over has also played a part. And yet, there's a rising demand for summer and part-time jobs, LaChance said, not only so youths can obtain spending money but to help support their families. "More kids are saying 'I need to find a job because my mother's been in the hospital or my parent is out of work,'" LaChance said. Attleboro High School has a work study program that allows teens to pursue part-time jobs as they further their studies, but participation is limited to students who attend the school's career and technical education program. Finding employment opportunities is also important for other reasons, said Andrew Sum, director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University, who added that teen employment helps set the pattern for future work and study habits and preparation for careers. The more teens are introduced to job skills at an early age, the more likely they are to find jobs in following years. In disadvantaged neighborhoods, kids who have part-time jobs are more likely to stay in school than peers who do not. As part of the Hire A Teen program, teens will be pre-screened before referral to employers. However, potential employers will have complete control over who ultimately is chosen for jobs. Youths will also receive training and be assigned a career specialist to coach them in their new work experience. The teen jobs campaign is being developed in partnership with the Bristol Workforce Investment Board, Attleboro School to Career Partnership, Attleboro Area Chamber of Commerce, North Attleboro-Plainville Chamber of Commerce, Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce, Attleboro Career Center, and high schools in Attleboro, Foxboro, North Attleboro and Norton. Those who have jobs to offer or would like more information can contact LaChance at at 508-222-5150 ext. 307.