Summer jobs could hit record low for teens

(CNN)– Landing a Summer job may be tougher than ever for teens this year.

A new forecast from consulting firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas projects about 790,000 jobs will go to teen workers between May and July.

That’s lower than last Summer’s total, and potentially the weakest season on record, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The slowdown reflects a broader labor market that’s cooled after the post-pandemic rebound.

Economists point to a mix of factors including inflation, higher fuel costs, slower hiring, and growing use of technology.