Employment numbers are on the rise – for teens that is.

For the first time in several years, youths between the ages of 16 and 19 are finding employment, according to a news release issued by the State Labor Department.

From May 2012 through April 2013, 29.4 percent of teens were employed. The latest numbers, May 2013 through April 2014 show that number rising to 32 percent.

Economist with the Department of Labor and Employment are projecting a positive outlook for teenagers seeking full-time and part-time summer jobs.

However, this does not mean that finding a job is easy because teens may lack training and skills. Colorado’s longest-running employment program for young people, Governor’s Summer Job Hunt, is able to help.

Steve Write oversees the program.

“Teens have learned how to market themselves for the job market, and staff at Workforce Centers across Colorado can show them how to do it successfully,” he said in the release. “Of course, this is our biggest time of year, but our work isn’t restricted to one season. We act as job brokers and guidance counselors on a year-round basis.”

Teenagers looking for employment and employers looking for young workers should contact their nearest Workforce Center. A list of locations can be found at www.colorado.gov/cdle/wfc

vguthrie@durangoherald.com