Labour Force, Teenage Employment and Unemployment, Australia

http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/ProductsbyTopic/DE5D3859C5EF2388CA2570AB001A77D4?OpenDocument

Balancing Study and Work - Tips for Your Teens

Source: http://www.yourkidsed.com.au/info/balancing-study-and-work-tips-for-your-teens

By Tahlia Mandie, Direction Exploring  These days it is not uncommon for teenagers to want to get part-time or casual work. The idea of getting a little extra ‘pocket money’ and cash they can use to purchase new gadgets and gismos, hang out with friends and save for bigger purchases is exciting.

Parents can similarly anticipate the experience as this means their children can start to lead a more independent life and take on more responsibility. Although the idea that teenagers are entering the workforce can be exciting and rewarding for both themselves and their parents, it can also be a daunting and sometimes stressful experience.

Generally, when teenagers start casual work it can also coordinate with some of their most crucial schooling years as students are not only beginning to learn more responsibility within school, but they are also beginning to prepare for their final years of school. Similarly, students can often feel more pressures, including family and peer relationships, school, and study.

Students are also most often given more work and study commitments. So if teenagers want to get a casual job while still in school, how to they juggle both?

Before embarking within the work force, teenagers and parents need to aware of what casual work involves and employee rights. Casual work is often much more flexible than permanent employment, as employees can choose the hours they work.

However, not all causal’s choose their own hours; employers will offer availability. Although flexible, casual’s are not given the same rights as permanent employers. However, for teenagers that are studying, casual work can offer the flexibility to structure work commitments around study and school commitments. When students have exams, they can inform their employer of these busier times and ask for fewer hours.

Students need to be very aware of their school and study commitments, paying close attention to the times they need to study more. Being structured and organised is the key to managing time, especially where students have to factor in extracurricular activity time. That is, before looking for employment, students need to ask themselves ‘Do I have time to take on another commitment?’

Although the concept of earning extra money, gaining more independence, and taking on more responsibility in desirable for both students and parents, it is important that students be aware of their priorities and time availability. Students and parents should sit down together and write down a timetable of each day of the week, outlining what commitments and/or activities are on when, and the time involved, including the allowance of study time. This includes school hours, after-school activities, weekend sporting activities, social events, dinner and family time, and study time.  Only once this has been down should students then decide whether they want to commit to employment.

If students are already working while studying, it is even more important they maintain a sense of organisation. That is, students need to be aware of study deadlines and have a greater sense of time availability and time management. Having good time management skills can be the key to reduce stress and exhaustion.

So the key to managing casual employment and school work is to think realistically before taking on an extra commitment. Students should ask themselves:
- “What spare time do I have?”
- “Would my employer be flexible with my school commitments?”
- “Would my employer allow me to take extra time off when I need it to study for exams?”
- “If I take on casual employment, will I still have enough time to study, see friends, do my other extracurricular activities and not feel overloaded?”

Jobs Available for Teens

Source: about.com
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/teenstudentgrad/a/teenjobsearch_2.htm


Jobs For Younger Teens

• Baby sitting
• Pet sitting/dog walking
• Lawn and yard work
• Shoveling driveways
• Household chores/cleaning
• Errands
• Homework help/tutoring

Typical Teen Jobs

• Camp counselor
• Cashier
• Child care assistant
• City or town summer jobs program
• Fast food or restaurant
• Hospitality - hotels, resorts
• Lawn/yard maintenance
• Lifeguard
• Retail
• Resort jobs - ski resorts, vacation resorts, amusement parks
• Office Assistant

Searching for Perfect Teen Jobs

Source: Careers Online
http://www.careersonline.com.au/Articles/teen.html

Just because you are a teen doesn't mean you can't find a good job to either help you through schooling or to get a few extra bucks for your various hobbies and needs. Here are a few tips on bagging a great teen job


Labor Laws

You, of course, have to follow the law. And there are various laws that govern teen employment across different states. Teens that are hired to do non-farm work will at least have to be fourteen years of age to be allowed to work. Here are a few other restrictions. You will have to do a little research in the state you are at to come up to date with the latest laws and regulations.

Teens that are aged 14 to 15 are only allowed to work three hours per day, and eighteen hours a wee. When there are no classes and during summer breaks, this amount may be increased to eight hours per day, 40 hours per week. Also work for teenagers of this age is limited to up to 7 o'clock p.m. within school days and 9 o'clock p.m. during summer breaks.

Employment Documents

In several states, when one has not reached the age of eighteen yet, it is required get working documents which are officially known as Certificate of Employment or Age to be allowed to work legally. Schools are good venues for one to acquire these important papers. The Department of Labor offers such service, too. Browse on the certification list for Age or Employment to know which rules apply to you. Your school's Guidance Office can be of great help. One's state office will assist greatly if one is directed to the Department of Labor. Particular states such as New York, for instance, have special web site sections on Youth Jobs, which will produce the information and documents you are required to have.

Fantasy Jobs

Make sure you take a job you can maintain interest in. You might want to consider after-school programs and working with kids. Or you may want to work part time on the beach, recreational facilities, zoos and other areas. The important thing is that you choose a job that you enjoy and can perform in with the best of your capabilities. It is very important that you do your best in your job and pick one you truly enjoy, as your experience with this job could very well dictate your future career.

Job Search

Your high school guidance counselor may be able to assist you with finding a part-time job that is just right for you. Aside from having contacts among local businesses, they may also help you evaluate which jobs you will enjoy and excel at.

It is also a good idea to tell everyone you know that you are looking for work. Don't underestimate your network of acquaintances. They may very well have other networks of acquaintances that may help you find good jobs.