It used to be quite common for teenagers to work part-time jobs on the weekend or during the summer to save up money for a vehicle and college. Unfortunately, as the minimum wage has risen, more older adults are finding hourly work appealing. Thus, more employers have been hiring adults instead of minors. Reports show that in 2000, 55% of teenagers were able to find jobs. In 2011, this percentage shot down to 28%. Why does this matter, and should employers consider hiring teenagers?
The Economy Needs Working Teens
There are plenty of teenagers that, unfortunately, lack the work ethic and academic skills to earn scholarships for college. However, many of these teens still desire to attend college and get degrees. It was normal in the past for these teenagers to work after school or during the summer to save up for college. Even high performing students who have completed most of their classes by their senior year and have half-day schedules want to work after school (they may either need vehicles to accommodate their new schedules or money for what their scholarships don’t cover).
The problem is, teenagers aren’t being hired anymore. Adults who are willing to make minimum wage are, especially now that minimum wage is increasing. Because of this, more and more students are having to take out loans for college, and our student debt crisis is rising. This trend shows why employers must hire teens to balance opportunities and prepare the workforce of the future.
Not Hiring Teenagers Can Have Long-Term Effects
Not hiring teenagers can also have long-term economic repercussions. Experts predict the teenagers that employers fail to hire now may come back later for jobs in their adulthood lacking the work skills they never earned. This may lead to a potential skills gap in the future. Employers that continue to hire teens today are not only helping the current economy but also reducing the risk of tomorrow’s workforce shortage.
Finding Qualified Teenagers
We don’t recommend to hire teens just for the sake of it. Instead, use Refered, a recruitment and referral software that gives your employees incentives to refer qualified candidates. With the right tools, you can confidently hire teens who are motivated, reliable, and ready to grow with your business. Request a demo today.
