During the Covid-19 recession, American 16-19 year-olds were particularly hard struck.
A record-low 30 percent of this cohort were either working or actively seeking work in April 2020; this was the lowest percentage ever recorded for that month.
That changed recently, with the adolescent unemployment rate falling to its lowest level since the 1950s. Teenagers acquired 256,000 jobs in April 2021, before the regular summer employment months of May and June.
Teens and young adults lost just 1% of their employment since February 2020, while adults lost 3%.
WHY HIRE TEENAGERS TO WORK?
Many businesses find teens to be a benefit during the busy summer and holiday seasons for a variety of reasons.
- They’re excited to get started.
Adolescent summer employment in 2020 was at its lowest level since 2008. Since then, many teenagers have shown an interest in working again, so that they may learn new skills, meet new people, as well as earn some money.
- A cost-effective way to increase your labour at busy periods.
In order to balance their academic and extracurricular activities, many teenagers seek part-time employment. Employing teenagers in low-skilled occupations on a part-time basis is an efficient and cost-effective way to meet your labour demands.
- Tax credits
Hiring workers under the age of 18 may qualify you for a tax credit in certain US states, depending on where your firm is located. Firms in New Jersey that recruit people under the age of 18 would get a tax credit to offset the expense of the state’s increased minimum wage, for example, while businesses in New York that hire those aged 16 to 24 are eligible for a tax credit.
- Helping to shape the future workforce.
In any business, teenagers may learn soft skills like responsibility, time management and creative problem solving that will serve them well in high school, college and career.
How to find, hire and manage teenagers
- Post jobs online where kids ‘hang out’
Get in front of the youth market on platforms where they will notice your job ads. Angry Crab Shack CEO Andy Diamond says the app-based Job Get initiative has increased adolescent traffic. “Using a platform they are more comfortable with helped.”
- Transparency and values-based communication
Young job seekers, like Gen Z, want honesty and social responsibility from employers.
“We’re seeing more traction with a more inventive approach to hiring,” says Goldfish Swim School CEO Chris McCuiston. “You may attract talent by stressing the job opportunity’s consequence and purpose.”
- Interview and onboarding processes take time.
Diamond advises evaluating a young candidate’s skills, capabilities and personality traits. Working with teenagers requires clear expectations, norms and open communication.
The employment interview process sets defined requirements for punctuality, call-off protocols and customer service foundations.
- Develop long-term seasonal employment partnerships
While it helps employers find talented young workers to promote, it also helps kids learn vital life skills. According to Rita’s Italian Ice franchisee John Vanore, the younger end of the cohort may remain with you into high school.
Vanore said that high school years are crucial to growth. So they return year after year, maybe even beyond college.