OLMIS

by Jan Swander
Published May-21-2008

Introduction Why Teens are Participating Less Why We Should Care About Youth Joblessness What Can Be Done?

I still remember my first job. The Hasty Freeze was a busy drive-in restaurant in my hometown. Like my teen co-workers, I learned the value of being a team player, getting to work on time, and delivering excellent customer service. These are just a few of the skills young workers need to acquire to be successful in the workplace. Many teens of my generation learned these basic and essential job skills in low wage, low skill jobs – but these were valuable lessons in work ethic that I have used throughout my life. As a workforce analyst, I find myself referring back to these basic skills as the foundations of my career, and for that reason, I am an avid supporter of young people in the workplace.

In recent years, teen participation in the labor force has trended downward (Graph 1). Last year, about 41 percent of the nation's 16 to 19 year olds participated in the labor force; in contrast, 58 percent of this age group was active in the labor force in 1979.

Summer months, June through August, are historically the peak months for teen employment. During these months, teenagers are on summer break from school and have more available time to work. Additionally, many businesses add temporary or seasonal jobs during the summer, particularly in retail, food service, agriculture, and travel-related industries, which teenagers are suited to fill. The downward trend for teen workforce participation has been a gradual process since its peak in 1978. During July of that year, 72 percent of those aged 16 to 19 were in the workforce. Since then, the percent of teens in the workforce steadily decreased to 50 percent during July of 2007.

Additionally, only 34.8 percent of teens were employed, on average, in 2007, the lowest employment level for teens nationwide since the end of World War II. Oregon has experienced a similar downward trend, but the state's teens have maintained elevated employment levels compared with the national average in recent years.

There are several factors that help explain why teens are participating less in the labor market. Since 2001, the most recent recession, high school graduates have enrolled in college at a higher rate than previously seen. Additionally, young workers are facing greater competition from older workers that have not traditionally filled the jobs typically sought by teens. As a result, employers are demanding higher skill levels, and have expressed dissatisfaction in recent years with teens' employment skills (e.g., work ethic, customer service, and communication).

Rising College Enrollment

Current Population Survey data show that teenagers are attending higher education at the highest rate ever. College enrollment rates peaked in the fall of 2005, with 68.6 percent of the graduating class of 2005 pursuing higher education. As of 2007, enrollment rates remain close to the peak; 67.2 percent of high school graduates are enrolling in some post-high school education.

These statistics point to increasing pressure for youth to achieve academically and to be more competitive in the college admissions process. High schools, in turn, are tailoring their academic curriculum to meet the standards and requirements of college admissions. In recent years, the number of high school students enrolled in advanced academic classes has skyrocketed, and requirements as well as incentives for community service and service learning projects are also rising. As college enrollment is trending upward, it appears that high school students are focusing on their academic studies and community involvement in order to become more "well-rounded" applicants. Consequently, these changes in academic and social commitments are leaving less time for after school and summer employment.

New Competition for "Teen Jobs"

A changing economy between 2000 and 2007 has affected the ability of teens to secure employment in the workforce as well. While many teens are still seeking employment, they face new sources of competition for typical "teen jobs." According to Andrew Sum of Northeastern University, workers aged 55 and older are choosing to remain in the workforce longer, filling many of the jobs in food service and retail that teens once filled. Single mothers with limited education who face time limits on their welfare receipts are also seeking the low skill jobs that teens previously occupied. College graduates unable to secure employment in their chosen field are also accepting retail and food service jobs as they wait for jobs in their field of study. Another source of competition has come from immigrant workers who seek out entry-level jobs because of their low skill, low profile nature.

As the experience level of applicants increased with the changing and growing adult workforce, employers increased the minimum qualifications for candidates, even in entry-level positions. With a greater supply of adult workers, employers are expressing a higher degree of dissatisfaction with the employability of young workers. In the 2006 report, 21^st Century Skills and High School Reform, employers state that many youths lack adequate skills such as attendance, punctuality, team work, and customer service and this makes them less desirable to hire. These remarks by employers are clearly a paradoxical issue in teen employment – as these skills, which are clearly of high value to employers, are often learned on the job.

Last year's teen employment rate was 34.8 percent nationwide, the lowest since the end of World War II. The projection for this coming summer is even lower at 34.0 percent. At present, many American teens are delaying their entry into the world of paid work. Some people fear these teens are missing out on vital life skills, failing to build a foundation for their future careers, and possibly hurting their earnings potential. When young people make an early connection to the world of work, they begin building the foundations of a strong personal work ethic.

According to numerous studies, working as a teen leads to continued employment and, in the long run, produces more successful and prosperous lives. In the past, we have seen that the high school drop-out rate for teens with a job is substantially less than for those without a job, especially if they come from lower-income families. Likewise, for those students unable to attend some form of higher education or who choose not to do so, a part-time job during high school generally helps with a more successful transition into the permanent workforce. Also, individuals who held jobs as teenagers tend to earn more after 10 years of employment than those who didn't have jobs in high school.

School-to-career programs develop partnerships between the business community and schools, working together to make instruction meaningful and internships relevant to future workplace needs of today's high school students. Workforce programs motivate and support students as they make their way into the workforce with such tools as:

• Job shadowing – Spending time following workers and observing at a worksite.
  
  
• Mentoring – Matching youth with an experienced individual in an occupation.
  
  
• Cooperative education – Combining academic and vocational studies with a job in a related field.
  
  
• School-sponsored enterprises – Producing goods or services for sale or use by others.
  
  
• Technical preparation – Participating in a planned program of study with a defined career focus that links to secondary and postsecondary education.
  
  
• Internship or apprenticeship – Working for an employer to learn about a particular occupation or industry.
  
  
• Career major – Taking a defined sequence of courses based upon an occupational goal.

If you're a business owner interested in investing in youth employment skills, contact your local school-to-career program or other youth programs to get involved.