By Emma Birchley, Sky News Correspondent
The Saturday job is becoming a thing of the past for most young people as they increasingly rely on the bank of mum and dad instead.
Fewer than one in six 16 and 17-year-olds now have a part-time job outside their studies and there is concern they are missing out on experiencing life in the workplace.
Alice Prior, 17, is studying for her A levels but every weekend does a six-hour shift at the East of England Co-op in Framlingham, Suffolk.
"I think it shows I'm employable and I am self-motivated and that I actually have a bit of get-up-and-go about me… that I want to get out there and study and have a job.
"It also means I can earn my own money and not rely on my parents."
Her colleague, Stephen Barton, is also studying for his A levels and hopes working will stand him in good stead.
"I want to save up for university and put it on my UCAS statement for a reference."
But figures from the Office for National Statistics show they are in the minority.
While 30% of 16 and 17-year-olds in full-time education had a job in 2000, now that has fallen to just over 15%.
Almost two thirds of them are female.
The Government wants more young people to follow Alice and Stephen's lead.
Business minister Matt Hancock, who did data entry as a schoolboy, said: "A Saturday job helps people understand what the world of work is like and doing it while you study… It's a bit of income but it's also very good for helping you to get a job when you come to the end of your study."
Head of food operations at the East of England Co-op, John Clarke, did a twice-daily paper round seven days a week as a boy and is keen to teach young students the same lessons he learnt.
"It was a tough job and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it gave you that discipline that you knew you had to turn up for a shift."
But for health and social care student Courtney Yeomans-Woods, who is 16 and from Norwich, it is tough fitting it all in.
"I'm finding it very hard to find a job. There are not many about.
"It's hard to fit in my assignments and hard to do two things at once, so it's a bit difficult really."
Paul Zacahariades, who owns barber's shop Kojaks on Norwich Market, loved his job as a "shampoo boy" washing women's hair as a 14-year-old.
"It gave me self-esteem. I was shampooing ladies hair and making them coffee and I enjoyed it."
He believes young people should be encouraged to work.
But fellow market trader Joe Silvester understands why such jobs are not being offered by small businesses.
"You employ someone on a Saturday or after school then you have to have public liability… employers' liability, and that adds to your costs, so you are best not to."
Those employed while at school are said to find it easier to get a job and end up earning more as adults.
It bodes well for Alice. She plans to join the police and is confident juggling school and work will ultimately pay off.
