Abiola Yussuph has firsthand experience with the current challenge of youth unemployment. That’s why he recently attended a career resource fair organized by The Come Up, a program empowering Black youth under the Africa Centre. Rather than simply seeking a job, Yussuph, a Grade 11 student at Father Michael McCaffery Catholic High School, was exploring future career paths in Edmonton, where he finds the job search increasingly difficult.
Justinah Adeyanju, the program co-ordinator at The Come Up, emphasized the importance of exposing young individuals to various career options to raise awareness. According to Statistics Canada, the youth unemployment rate in Alberta for individuals aged 15 to 24 decreased from 17% in August to 14.7% in September, down from a peak of 20.3% in July. In comparison, the national youth unemployment rate has been around 14% since April.
A report commissioned by King’s Trust Canada highlighted significant challenges faced by young workers, such as heightened competition and a lack of job opportunities and training. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed concern over the persistently high youth unemployment rates and announced the $8 million Alberta Youth Employment Incentive Program to subsidize the wages of young workers. The program aims to assist 1,000 businesses in hiring 2,500 youths in the province.
Economist Trevor Tombe from the University of Calgary pointed out that economic uncertainties and disruptions in trading partnerships are influencing hiring decisions. He emphasized the need for sustained economic growth to create more job opportunities and reduce unemployment rates, rather than solely relying on persuading employers to hire more young individuals.
In conclusion, addressing youth unemployment requires collaborative efforts from governments, educational institutions, and businesses to implement effective policies and initiatives for future workforce development and economic stability.