Teen employment hovers near decadeslong high amid tight Minnesota labor market

Jul 21, 20230

Elizabeth Flores, Star Tribune count

Blaine parks and recreation employee Kayla McLellan, 19, who recently graduated from Spring Lake Park High School, sang along with children in the PlayNet program at West Lake Park on Wednesday.

Sophia Haug paused a beat, trying to think of one of her friends who is not working. She couldn't.

The 18-year-old was surrounded by other teens supervising preschoolers who were whacking plastic balls and drawing pictures on Wednesday. Some staff at Blaine's summer playground program are working to earn spending money. Others had parents who urged them to get a job. Several plan to teach and wanted experience working with kids. Most are saving for college. All earn at least $15 an hour.

More teenagers are joining Minnesota's workforce - and not just in summer jobs - as employers, desperate for workers in a tight labor market, entice them with record-high wages.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-employers-hire-teens-in-tight-labor-market-employment-teenagers-working-unemployment-rate/600291108/