This year’s Dakota-Scott Teen Job Fair was the largest yet, with attendance climbing from more than 700 in 2025 to nearly 1,400 this year. The fair was held at the Dakota County Western Service Center on April 11. The attendance surge reflects both strong interest in youth employment and the growing need for accessible, low‑barrier career exploration.
According to recently released youth employment data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, teen unemployment rose from 6.6 percent in January 2025 to 13.1 percent in January 2026, while labor force participation fell from 61% to 51% from 2024 to 2025 — underscoring the importance of this event.
The 2026 fair provided a hands-on, welcoming space for teens to meet employers, explore job options and understand next steps. Event features included the Big Ideas Mobile Learning Lab’s skilled trades simulations, transportation guidance from Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) and insights from Dakota County Technical College / Inver Hills Community College. Teens reported increased confidence, and employers benefited from direct access to strong candidates.
As job fair attendance continues to grow, so does the need for more participating employers. Teens are eager for summer jobs, flexible part‑time roles and early exposure to technical and pathway‑based careers. Employer participation helps fill immediate openings while strengthening the region’s long-term workforce pipeline.
Couldn’t attend the Teen Job Fair? We’ve got you covered.
A full list of this year’s participating employers and community resources is available: Teen Job Fair Employer and Resource List. If you have questions about the Dakota/Scott teen job fair and finding employment in this part of Minnesota, call 651-554-5955.
- For assistance in other parts of Minnesota, contact staff at a CareerForce location near you.
- Search job postings by location, employer name, job type and more at CareerForce.MN.gov/job-search.
- CareerForce.MN.gov has a simple set of steps for young people to take whether they want to find employment now or plan for their future career.
- Learn about resources for teens and young adults who have dropped out of high school or are not on track for finishing high school or who have other barriers to employment.
