Minnesota teens face a tougher summer job market this year, with unemployment nearly double last summer\u2019s level.<\/p>\n
According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), teen unemployment in Minnesota is 13.2%. The agency said that is nearly double what it was a year ago.<\/p>\n
Jack Blincow landed a summer job at Frattalone\u2019s in Arden Hills. He said he is saving money for on-campus housing at college.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started yesterday. This is my second day on the job,\u201d Blincow said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to come up with $1200 over the summer. I have savings, but I would rather spend it on school,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Oriane Casale with DEED said the economy is slowing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe economy is slowing, job growth is slowing, unemployment is ticking up a bit for all workers across Minnesota,\u201d Casale said.<\/p>\n
Casale said most teens work in food service and accommodation. She said those industries, along with entertainment and recreation, have slowed recently.\u00a0 However, there is an influx in demand for childcare and summer camp workers compared to recent summers.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, people are going back to the office after working from home. They are trying to line up childcare fast, that\u2019s a nice opportunity for teens,\u201d Casale said.<\/p>\n
At Frattalone\u2019s in Arden Hills, the store started hiring in March and no longer has any summer job openings. The business said it still gets applications from teens.<\/p>\n
\u201cI get tons of applications. Once school is out, I am flooded with them,\u201d said Dean Dahler, manager of Frattalone\u2019s.<\/p>\n