SAINT JOHN, N.B. – The executive director of Saint John’s Human Development Council is concerned about the growing youth unemployment rate in New Brunswick.

Randy Hatfield presented his thoughts during a poverty summit in Moncton this past weekend.

He says with a thousand kids dropping out of New Brunswick high schools last year, a clear message needs to be given to students.

“That a high school diploma or an equvilant is basically a minumum qualification for entry level positions. And that’s where the jobs are; good paying jobs are rare.”

The provincial youth unemployment rate has jumped 5% over the last year.