Employing Alaska's youth: they're young, energetic, motivated and hard-working.

AuthorOrr, Vanessa

Go into any retail store or fast food restaurant, and chances are you'll see a number of young people working. Despite the fact that many members of the under--18 crowd are busy with school, athletics and social activities, many of them are also choosing to enter the work force at a young age in order to make money and to learn valuable skills.

According to the June 2005 Alaska Economic Trends report, there were more than 17,000 workers under the age of 18 on the job in 2003. Together, these 14- to 17-year-olds earned wages of more than $51 million, while helping to contribute to Alaska's economy.

'ENERGY AND EXUBERANCE'

"In general, young workers in Alaska have a lot of energy and exuberance, and are willing to jump in and get things done," said Grey Mitchell, director, Labor Standards and Safety Division, Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. "In terms of a higher purpose, employers who bring young workers in with the attitude of training them to develop a work ethic make a great contribution to society. There are huge potential benefits for all Alaskans in the hiring of younger workers."

According to Mitchell, underage workers are broken into two groups, each of which has different rules and restrictions on when and where they can work. "Fourteen- and 15-year-olds can essentially only do office-type of work," he explained, "whereas 16- and 17-year-olds have less limitations on what they can do."

RESTRICTIONS ON WORK

The biggest restrictions on 16- and 17-year-olds concern hazardous jobs, like logging and mining, which they are not allowed to do. "They can work in construction, but not in specific occupations in that field that are more hazardous, including roofing, working with power equipment, and excavating that exceeds four feet," said Mitchell.

Surprisingly, there are also restrictions on 16- and 17-year-olds who want to work as delivery drivers. "This used to be a big area where kids of these ages were employed," said Mitchell. "But because there were so many accidents on a national level, the Federal Department of Labor established restrictions against motor vehicle driving about five years ago. Workers this age can drive, but they can't work as a pizza delivery person, for example, because only 5 percent of their work hours can be spent driving. They also have to pass a driver safety course first."

Other restrictions include working in metal fabricating shops, meat-packing operations, and in certain departments of...

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