Abiola Yussuph has experienced the challenges of youth unemployment firsthand. He recently attended a career resource fair organized by The Come Up, a program empowering Black youth under the Africa Centre. Instead of seeking just a job, Yussuph was keen on exploring potential career paths. The Grade 11 student at Father Michael McCaffery Catholic High School in Edmonton shared his frustration about the tough job market where submitting numerous resumes often leads to minimal responses.
Justinah Adeyanju, the program co-ordinator for The Come Up, emphasized the importance of exposing young individuals to various career options as a means to raise awareness among the upcoming workforce. She highlighted the significance of representation, visibility, and access for the next generation of employees.
Recent data from Statistics Canada revealed a decline in the youth unemployment rate in Alberta, dropping from 17% in August to 14.7% in September, compared to a peak of 20.3% in July. However, challenges persist for young people entering the job market, with increased competition and limited on-the-job training opportunities, according to a report by King’s Trust Canada commissioned by Deloitte.
In response to the persistent issue of youth unemployment, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed her concerns during an event, acknowledging the need for intervention. She highlighted the government’s $8 million Alberta Youth Employment Incentive Program, aimed at subsidizing the hourly wages of young individuals to encourage hiring by businesses. The initiative is expected to facilitate the employment of 2,500 youths across 1,000 businesses in the province.
Economist Trevor Tombe from the University of Calgary emphasized the broader economic factors influencing youth unemployment, such as economic uncertainty and reduced job vacancies in sectors like accommodation, food services, and retail. Tombe stressed the importance of fostering economic growth to create more job opportunities and reduce unemployment rates, indicating that simply persuading employers to hire may not be sufficient to address the issue.
Overall, the efforts to tackle youth unemployment involve a multi-faceted approach, including government initiatives, collaboration between stakeholders, and a focus on sustainable economic growth to support the future workforce and mitigate the challenges faced by young job seekers.