A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation says employment opportunities for many teens and young adults in the Tar Heel state are plummeting.

The Youth and Work study explores the obstacles that have pushed many young people out of the labor force since the economic downturn. 

According to the report, in 2011, nearly 6.5 million U.S. teens and young adults ages 16 to 24 were disconnected. That means they were not enrolled in school, and were unemployed. In North Carolina, about one in every five young people ages 16 to 24, were disconnected.

“Ultimately, that places them at risk for chronic underemployment and reduced financial stability later in life,” said Laila Bell, Director of Research & Data with Action for Children North Carolina.

“There are also broader economic concerns, so when we know when these young people are unemployed and out of school, they more likely need to access the social safety net. They don't have the ability to support themselves, which means that it affects our ability to broaden our tax base as a state and to really promote a more prosperous future, added Bell.”

Bell said the study also finds the U.S. youth employment is at the lowest level since World War II. In North Carolina, only 41 percent of young people were employed last year, compared to 60 percent in 2000.

Bell said as older workers were displaced during the recession, competition for the entry-level jobs that younger workers depend on to start their careers increased. 

“It’s important for us to create opportunities for youth in schools, as well as other public systems that will allow them to gain early job experience through such avenues as community service, internships and summer and part time work,” said Bell.

And Bell said creating access to high quality early education has proven to be a successful strategy as well. 

 To view Youth and Work: Restoring Teen and Young Adult Connections to Opportunity visit: http://www.aecf.org/kidscount/youthwork.