A children's charity has today welcomed a report that warns the UK could miss out on thousands of future nurses, plumbers and teachers because of the level of youth unemployment.

National Children's Bureau (NCB) said it was vital that young people were supported into education, employment or training, following a report by the Prince's Trust, which revealed the current generation of young people were missing out on crucial employment opportunities.

The Prince's Trust said thousands of potential mechanics, social workers and entrepreneurs could also be lost if young people could not fulfil their career ambitions.

A survey by the charity, of more than 1,000 people between the ages of 16 and 24, found that many were finding it hard to get a job, often because of money problems.

Two out of five of those questioned said they couldn't afford to buy smart clothes for a job interview and more than half thought they would never be able to buy their own home.

Youngsters who had been out of work for more than a year were significantly less optimistic than those who had been unemployed for less than six months, according to the report.

The long-term unemployed were nearly twice as likely to fear that they "would never amount to anything", and three times as likely to believe they didn't have any skills or talents, while two out of five were not hopeful about finding a job in the next six months.

Barbara Hearn, deputy chief executive of NCB, said: "Positive steps have been taken recently by Government through the 14-19 Reform.

"However, we must ensure that young people's talents and aspirations are taken into account when they are matched with training or work placements.

"In addition, we must make sure we are appropriately engaging with particularly vulnerable groups including teenage mothers, care leavers, people with disability or learning difficulties, and young offenders.

"The social and economic costs of neglecting services that support young people into employment, education and training are enormous in terms of increased demand on state services and the effective marginalisation of a large proportion of the young population.

"Programmes such as our Life Routes programme, which helps vulnerable young people aged 11 to 19 develop life skills and realise their own potential, and a new NCB initiative to employ and develop skills in young people who would not normally have access to employment in the third sector, need ongoing support and investment.

"They provide vital support as young people make the transition from youth to adulthood, and help to ensure that young people go on to live happy and fulfilling lives."

Martina Milburn, chief executive of the Prince's Trust, said: "Britain cannot afford to stifle its young talent. We must invest in young people now, giving them all the chance to achieve their ambitions and become the key workers of the future.

"Every one of Britain's unemployed young people has skills and talents that could make a real difference to this country.

"Only by investing in young people can we ensure this undiscovered generation isn't lost forever."

Employment minister Jim Knight said: "The Government is determined that unlike other recessions, this time young people will not lose out.

"This is why we have recently announced as part of the Skills investment strategy continued support and expansion of programmes for 19 to 25 year olds, invested £1 million in The Prince's Trust Team programme and introduced schemes such as Flying start - Make it Happen.

"This scheme sits alongside thousands of other opportunities available to young people including internships, further study, apprenticeships and volunteering."

NCB aims to advance the wellbeing of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. For further information visit www.ncb.org.uk.

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