High school graduates entered the labor market this summer during a deep economic downturn, but while that presented a serious hurdle—especially for those not pursuing college—many of these young, flexible workers are finding jobs. Job openings for those with just a high-school education and little work experience are on the rise, according to job boards and staffing companies. The unemployment rate for those 16 to 19 years old fell to 16.1% in August—just below the long-run average since 1948—from 31.9% in April, according to the Labor Department. The overall unemployment rate, 8.4% in August, was 45% higher than its historical average. Last month’s teen unemployment rate suggests that while the labor market for the class of 2020 isn’t as strong as for the prior two years’ classes, it is in line with that for the class of 2016.

Source: Wall Street Journal September 13, 2020 09:32 UTC