Young Canadians struggle to land minimum-wage jobs as youth unemployment hits new highs

People attend a job and continuing education fair in Montreal, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Young Canadians are finding it increasingly difficult to land even minimum-wage jobs as the country’s youth unemployment rate climbs to its highest level in years.

According to Statistics Canada, the youth unemployment rate reached 15 per cent in September — the highest level since 2010, excluding the pandemic years.

Statistics Canada’s chief of labour force survey analysis, Andrew Fields, said young people are particularly affected by the tightening job market.

It’s harder for new job seekers to find work,” Fields said.

“Young people are especially vulnerable in an environment where firms aren’t necessarily hiring new workers.”

Federal data show the number of positions employers are trying to fill is down about 15 per cent from last year.

Trina Smith, program manager with Prospect Human Services, said the labour market has become “more and more saturated.”

“It’s tough to do the recruiting when applications are coming in fast and furious for every position,” she said.

“It’s hard to sift through all the applicants when so many people are looking for work right now.”

For 16-year-old Calgarian Alexandra D, the search for work has been discouraging.

“I’d go there in person, write cover letters, talk to the hiring manager — and nothing,” she said.

After submitting close to 100 applications this year, she finally landed a job.

“It’s really hard to get a minimum-wage job,” she said.

Twenty-five-year-old Jayden Wight knows that frustration all too well. He went months without finding stable work.

“It’s definitely discouraging. You kind of feel like you’re not going to have a future in this country,” he said.

Post-secondary student Brodie Gomez said he has applied for hundreds of entry-level positions in the service and fast-food industries, as well as dishwashing jobs — all without success.

“The best I can do is just hold onto hope and keep applying,” he said.

In a statement to CTV News, the federal Ministry of Jobs and Families said, “The world of work is changing fast, and young Canadians are feeling it. These are challenging times, but we are acting with urgency and purpose. Our message to youth is clear: we’re not just creating jobs, we’re building real career pathways that last.”

The ministry added that it plans to:

• generate and protect hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs;
• connect Canadians to opportunities faster;
• upskill and train workers for today’s and tomorrow’s industries; and
• partner through the new Workforce Alliance to deliver focused workforce strategies across key sectors.

With the federal budget nearing, young Canadians are counting on support from Ottawa.

“It’s finding solutions that align with not only Canadians but also businesses,” said Gomez.

“Any kind of program that they’d be willing to fund — to help Canadians learn new skill sets, new trades, anything,” added Wight.