Approximately 101,000 more workers between ages 16 and 24 are employed in construction work this summer than during the same period last year, according to data released August 18 by the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

BLS reported that approximately 1,543,000 workers 16 to 24 years of age were employed on construction sites in July 2004, compared with approximately 1,442,000 in July 2003.

By ethnic group, the largest increase was reported among Hispanic or Latino workers in that age group--463,000 in July 2004, compared with 370,000 in July 2003. BLS said 1,378,000 white workers in that age group were on construction jobs in July 2004, compared with 1,343,000 in July 2003. African-Americans in that age group totaled 75,000 in construction in July 2004, compared with 55,000 in July 2003. Asians totaled 14,000, compared with 8,000 in July 2003.

Total employment in all industries among youths in that age group reached 21.45 million in July. Peak summer employment was 497,000 more than in 2003, when it rose by 2.08 million to 20.95 million between April and July, BLS reported.

The latest figures on youth employment and unemployment also are available on BLS's web site at: http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/youth.nr0.htm.