(LANSING) – The Summer teen employment forecast for 2023 has been released for Michigan.

The State’s Department of Technology, Management & Budget says the labor market has continued to improve in the past year as it approaches pre-pandemic levels.

In the coming months, many Michigan teens will be entering the labor force, some for the first time, as they search for summer employment. This sudden influx of workers will result in a more competitive labor market during the summer of 2023.

Teens entering the labor force typically find work in industries that are highly seasonal in nature and require larger staff levels during the summer months, such as the accommodation and food services; retail trade; and arts, entertainment, and recreation sectors. Jobs in these industries are ideal for teens, as they typically require minimal education, experience, or training. If the current demand for workers continues to stay high,
teenagers should encounter few barriers to finding jobs this summer.

Wayne Rourke, Labor Market Information Director of the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics, says Michigan teens are forecasted to have low unemployment rates as they enter a favorable labor market. Rourke says teen participation in the state’s workforce is expected to be similar to pre-pandemic levels this summer.

The overall population of teens ages 16 to 19 has been steadily declining over the past decade, so the number of teens available to work has also fallen. In 2023, there are just over 500,000 teens in this age group in Michigan, and roughly 235,000 (46.6 percent) plan on seeking or holding a job this summer.

The summer 2023 unemployment rate among teens is expected to average 12.7 percent, a slight decline from the previous year’s average rate of 14.4 percent. A total of 205,000 teens are forecasted to be employed this summer, a level similar to that of 2022.

Teens seeking summer jobs are encouraged to contact their local Michigan Works! Office, which provides assistance in resume development and job search, including access to Pure Michigan Talent Connect, and also officers tips on applying for your first job.