The provincial government announced Thursday that it will be providing $8 million for the new Alberta Youth Employment incentive in an effort to get more young people in the work force. Premier Danielle Smith said youth are being left out of the Canadian economy “thanks to the mismanagement of our immigration system.” “Increasingly, Alberta is still a land of opportunity, but misuse of international student visas and the uncapping of the temporary foreign worker program, particularly for low-skilled workers, have led to thousands of young people being unable to find employment despite sometimes applying for dozens or even hundreds of jobs,” said Smith during a press conference in Edmonton. “The federal government must immediately make major changes to their immigration policies, or we risk failing an entire generation of young Canadians.” The federal government announced a two-year cap on international students in 2024 and the auditor general is investigating the program, with a report to Parliament expected in 2026. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he’s reviewing the Temporary Foreign Worker program and immigration in general. “That includes bringing the total number of temporary workers and international students to less than five per cent of Canada‘s population by the end of 2027, down from its peak of 7.25 per cent last year,” Carney said. A news release from the Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration said there are more than 145,000 temporary foreign workers in Alberta as of Dec. 31, 2024. The Alberta Youth Employment Incentive will provide grants to employers to offset the costs of hiring, training and employing youth from age 15 to 24. Around 1,000 businesses are expected to be supported in hiring 2,500 young Albertans, said the release. Smith cited a July labour force survey by Statistics Canada reporting that youth unemployment is the worst it’s been in nearly 30 years. “The years between the ages of 15 and 24 are so important,” said Smith. “It’s when a person builds the foundation for their life.” Beginning in October, employers will be eligible for one of two incentive amounts. Those who hire one to two young workers for a combined total of at least 400 hours will be eligible to receive $4,000. Employers who hire three to five, with a combined total of at least 750 hours, will be eligible to get $7,500. Essentially, the province pays $10 of the hourly wage for workers under the program. The incentive will be managed by non-profit organization CAREERS, which helps connect young people with employment. The organization will deliver grants and determine program eligibility. On top of the funding, the province has developed a digital badge for youth in an effort to help employers build confidence in young workers. The badge is given to those who have worked a minimum of 200 hours and have passed a skills-verified employer assessment. The province said the badge is intended to be highlighted on resumes.
