Based on several polls and reports, millennials nationwide find themselves out of work more often than older generations, but the disparity between the ages does not appear to be as dramatic locally.
The millennials, also known as Generation Y, were born roughly between the early 1980s to the early 2000s.
Generation Opportunity, a national youth advocacy organization based in Arlington, Va., is reporting a 16 percent unemployment rate for 18- to 29-year-olds across the country.
The national overall unemployment rate was 7.6 percent in May; Oklahoma had a 5.6 percent unemployment rate that same month, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission tracks employment rates in smaller age groups, but the disparity between the ages and employment appears less dramatic.
In 2012, 9.6 percent of 20- to 24-year-olds were unemployed in Oklahoma followed by 5.4 percent (ages 25 to 34), 3.9 percent (ages 35 to 44), 4.4 percent (ages 45 to 54), and 3.7 percent (ages 55 to 64).
Unemployment rates for those 16 to 19, when many are still in high school, was 14.5 percent throughout the state.
Shelly Holly, director of career services at the University of Tulsa, said that job placement rates for the University of Tulsa, which focuses mostly on graduates around the ages of 22 to 25, have been high lately.
About 92 percent were placed where they wanted to be last year, whether that's graduate school, staying home to start a family or landing a job.
Of those strictly seeking employment, 86 percent found jobs within four months of graduation, she said.
Generation Opportunity says that Obamacare, which starts enrollments next month, has created a disastrous job market for young people.
Panera franchisee Sue Stees employs many in the millennial age group but said that Obamacare will not cause them to change any of their business strategies even though they will have to offer heath care to employees working less than full-time.
"We have offered health care to our full-time employees for many years. They've had good access to health care," Stees said. "We will continue to try to take good care of our customers and we are always hiring. That's a good thing."
About 30 to 35 full- and part-time workers are employed at each of their eight stores in Tulsa, Broken Arrow and Owasso, she said.
QuikTrip spokesman Mike Thornbrugh said his company continues to hire young people to work in its stores as it continues to expand.
He also noted that QuikTrip has already been offering health care to some of its part-time employees.
"As Congress fiddles, we take action. We take care of our employees and don't wait on the end result," he said.
QuikTrip employs more than 14,000 people, he said.
State unemployment
2012
| 16-19 |
14.5% |
| 20-24 |
9.6% |
| 25-34 |
5.4% |
| 35-44 |
3.9% |
| 45-54 |
4.4% |
| 55-64 |
3.7% |
| 65 over |
1.6% |
2011
| 16-19 |
18.8% |
| 20-24 |
13.1% |
| 25-34 |
6.4% |
| 35-44 |
5.4% |
| 45-54 |
3.3% |
| 55-64 |
4.9% |
| 65 over |
2.4% |
Source: Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
Susan Hylton 918-581-8381
susan.hylton@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: State's younger workers faring better
Employment
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