May 19, 2009 - The teen summer labor market can be described as competitive in any given year.  Starting in May, the number of teens entering the labor force will begin to rise sharply and reach a peak in July.   Many teens are entering the labor market for the first time and have not acquired basic labor market skills.  These teens not only encounter the large influx of summer job seekers but face competition from those employed in previous summers.  This summer, teens are expected to experience greater competition for jobs from displaced adult workers due to recent restructuring in some of the state's key industries and general economic slowdown.  Therefore, fewer teens are expected to enter the job market.  

Approximately 219,200 teens are expected to find employment this summer.  Some tips from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth to help find a summer job are:

• Start looking early
• Keep looking
• Visit local businesses
• Talk with school guidance counselors
• Use the newspaper want-ads
• Let friends/neighbors know you are looking for work
• Think about self-employment: lawn service, pet sitting, etc.
• Search the Internet

Also, some tips from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth to help make a good first impression with employers are:

• Dress appropriately
• Be on time to the interview
• Be well groomed
• Bring information needed to complete an application
• Have a list of a few references
• Maintain a positive attitude

"Helping to overcome economic challenges facing all states, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) was passed in February of this year," said Rick Waclawek, director of DELEG's Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. "One facet of this act is to ensure that as many youth as possible gain valuable labor market experience.  Youth-targeted funding from the Recovery Act emphasizes expanding operations of summer youth training and employment opportunities during the summer of 2009".

Targeted Recovery Act funds will be allocated to Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Programs which are provided to eligible youth at Michigan Works! Agencies located throughout the state.  Teens are encouraged to contact Michigan Works! at 1-800-285-WORKS to determine if they qualify for WIA Youth programs.  Michigan

Works! also helps teens develop resumes and search for job openings at www.michworks.org that features the  Michigan Talent Bank.  

The industries and occupations that typically provide good job prospects for teens are listed in the tables below.

The extremely competitive nature of the state's current job market is anticipated to result in fewer teens entering the job market this summer.  These factors are expected to generate a teen summer jobless rate of 28.0 percent, an increase of 2.7 percentage points over last summer.  This higher unemployment rate is anticipated to result in 7,100 additional teens being unemployed compared to last summer

Source: Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth, Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives, Labor Market Research & Forecasting Section.

Labor force participants under 18 years of age are subject to the Youth Employment Standards Act (YESA), PA 90 of 1978.  Information on the YESA can be found at: http://michigan.gov/dleg/.  Click on Wage and Hour Division then Youth Employment.