Summer jobs market seems to be improving in Oklahoma City area

Readers of The Oklahoman report seeing “Help Wanted” signs at Under the Sun garden centers, Michael's and Party America stores, McDonald's and Sophabella's restaurants, and elsewhere across greater Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma Employment Security Commission economist Lynn Gray said he “wouldn't be surprised if the summer job situation has improved over last year,” based on Oklahoma's declining unemployment rate and steady increase in numbers of jobs.

Friday, the commission reported the state's unemployment rate was down to 5 percent, from 5.4 percent in March and 5.9 percent a year ago.

Nationally, only about 25 percent of 16- to 19-year-olds are working, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate, which was roughly 45 percent in the 1990s, began dropping about a decade ago, with a 10 percent drop since the start of the Great Recession in late 2007.

In Oklahoma, the employment rate for those 16 to 19 years old last year, the most recent data available, was 27.7 percent, down from 29.6 percent in 2010, 38.4 percent in 2007 and 44.4 percent in 2001, Gray said.

Despite the national and local declines, seasonal hiring has remained consistent at Lowe's, which this year expects to hire an estimated 40,000 seasonal workers, or about 23 workers per store, the same as last year, spokeswoman Stacey Lentz said.

“Spring is the busiest time of year in the home improvement industry,” Lentz said.

In Norman, Murphy, 20, serves as a support customer service representative in Lowe's garden section, working mainly with rocks and pavers.

“It's a lot of fun, and I get a great workout,” said Murphy, who is a member of OU's RUF/NEKS student pep squad. His goal is to earn $5,000 by summer's end to buy a car.

The Greens Country Club this summer will hire about 50 lifeguards, golf cart handlers and food service workers, or roughly eight more seasonal workers than last year, General Manager Jim Cowan said. Following the club's remodel this past year, there's more interest in its pool, Cowan said. The club also is introducing more youth activities, he said, including soccer and cheerleading camps, in addition to its swim, tennis and golf camps.