March 2026
Yes, you can hire 16- and 17-year-olds in manufactuirng – and here’s why you should.
Think manufacturers can’t hire 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds? Think again. Hundreds of teens are already thriving in manufacturing roles across our region—legally, safely, and with real support systems backing them. If you’ve hesitated, this quick read may shift your perspective.
The conversation around hiring high school students, especially those under 18, usually comes with hesitation, myths, and mixed messages. The truth is that today’s manufacturing environment needs fresh talent and long‑term workforce strategies that don’t wait until someone turns 18. It’s a must to combat the rising retirement rate of skilled workers and capturing before they are out of high school sometimes wandering for years before falling into a career. Many manufacturers are already employing highly motivated 16‑ and 17‑year‑old students. If you’ve been worried about OSHA rules, insurance, or overall readiness, let’s break down the facts.
Employer Concerns—And the Real Answers
In our January 2026 Workforce Strategies Group LLC employer poll, we asked:
“Why might you have concerns about hiring a WBL high school student?”
“OSHA and Insurance Restrictions” – 42%
The straightforward answer: Manufacturers can legally employ 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds.
Not in every role, of course—but in plenty of them.
You may have been told otherwise by an insurer or corporate office. But the law allows it, and hundreds of WBL students are already working safely and productively in manufacturing across our region. Let me repeat, legally speaking, manufacturers can employ 16 & 17 Year Olds. When you hire through your local high school’s WBL program, you get students who are vetted, monitored, and supported—reducing risk and increasing success.
“Job Readiness” – 38%
Which came first – the chicken or the egg? Which comes first—job readiness or employment? Your local CTAE and WBL teams work hard to prepare students before they ever step foot in your building.
Students learn:
- Workplace skills
- Accountability
- Professional behavior
- Career awareness
And when you add real employment experience on top of that classroom learning, it accelerates everything. You can build on a foundation that schools are already developing.
“Access to Youth Interested in Manufacturing/Trades” – 14%
If you’re not sure how to find students who are genuinely interested in your field, here’s your assignment: Find your local CTAE director or WBL coordinator and start a conversation.
Schools offer a wide range of career pathways, often including:
- Agriculture
- Business
- Communications
- Construction
- Computer Science / IT
- Drafting
- Graphic Design
- Heavy Equipment
- Manufacturing or STEM
- Welding
- Electrical, Mechanical Systems, and Machining are built into some of these pathways, just ask.
Go to the school’s website and search CTAE or WBL. Get to know the director or instructor and ask questions. The students are there—and many are looking for you.
“Lack of Time to Train” – 6%
This was the least‑cited concern, which is great to see. We all get the same number of hours in a day and choosing how to invest those hours is both a business and personal decision. For many employers, developing young talent pays back far more than the time it takes to train them.
The Bottom Line
As employers, we have the opportunity and responsibility to grow the next generation of skilled talent. Partnering with your local CTAE and WBL programs opens the door to motivated students who are ready to contribute now and grow into your long‑term workforce. The concerns are real and the solutions are already in place.
Now is the time to engage, connect, and build the workforce you need now and that the future demands.
*Percentages indicate Jan 2026 poll results
CTAE = Career, Technical, Agricultural Education
STEM= Science Technology Engineering Mathematics
WBL= Work Based Learning
-Shelley Logan, Workforce Strategies Group LLC
