According to the latest data from the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS), more teenagers in the state are entering the workforce, with health care and social assistance emerging as some of the most popular employment sectors, Wyoming News Now reports.
The findings were shared by Michael Moore, Research Supervisor for DWS Research and Planning, during a quarterly meeting of the Wyoming Workforce Development Council.
Moore highlighted that, despite a long-term decline in youth employment in both Wyoming and the United States, recent trends indicate a positive shift.
“We’ve seen an increase in youth working in Wyoming over the past few years,” Moore stated.
He noted that, in particular, Wyoming teens are spending more months per year in the workforce.
Health care and social assistance have become top choices for teen workers. The percentage of Wyoming youth employed in these fields has risen by 47.9% from 2013 to 2023, with many young workers taking entry-level roles, including clerical or cleaning jobs, in health care settings focused on children and the elderly.
While the trend is encouraging, Moore also emphasized that youth employment has not yet returned to pre-recession levels. The national youth labor force participation rate, for instance, dropped significantly after the 2008 economic downturn and has not recovered to past levels. Wyoming follows this broader trend, although the recent uptick since 2019 is seen as a positive development.
The increase in youth employment also brings benefits such as the development of soft skills, including communication and time management, which are essential for future success in the workforce.
Eric Trowbridge, chairman of the Wyoming Workforce Development Council, expressed optimism over the data, particularly noting the diversification of industries chosen by young workers.
“It’s promising to see increasing numbers of young individuals entering employment, as well as a noticeable diversification in the industries they are choosing,” he said.
As part of its ongoing efforts to support youth in the workforce, the council remains focused on creating opportunities that encourage young people to stay in Wyoming and help grow the state’s economy.
