The Youth Employment Crisis

The printer buzzed as it started to push out pieces of warm white paper. I gently picked it up, holding it into the light: it was perfect. I had been perfecting my resume for two weeks and it was finally complete. I carefully placed the resume into my folder, then into my school backpack, and took off on my bike. 

After a whole day of handing out my resume to grocery stores, retail stores, restaurants, and cafes in search of a part time job, I was exhausted and decided to return home. I should've known the moment it started raining that it was a premonition of what was to come. I had received no offers to work and was discouraged. How had I received no job offers?! However, I realized that I wasn't the only one who was experiencing difficulty with getting a job. 

In Canada, students ranging from the ages of 15 to 24 are all experiencing increased difficulty with finding employment. According to Statistics Canada, youth unemployment has risen well above pre-pandemic levels, reaching 14.1% in October 2025 compared to the previous 10.8% recorded from 2017 to 2019. One contributing factor is that the number of youth has increased by 9.9% between 2022 and 2024, making jobs more scarce as the teen population grows. On top of this, industries that traditionally employ young workers are beginning to cut back hiring as the economy slows down and consumer demands decrease. This can be attributed to the rise of artificial intelligence. As AI presents one of the most transformative technologies society has ever seen, it is not only reshaping almost every industry but also creating unprecedented opportunities for growth. However, this also means that it is taking over entry level jobs that are often based on repetitive tasks. 

Despite these challenges, solutions do exist. To address the increase of youth unemployment, the federal government can focus on creating stable and accessible pathways into the workforce for these young workers. By emphasizing the expansion of paid work opportunities, such as internships, co-ops, and work-integrated learning programs, experts and policymakers can help students gain real-world experience while still in school. Moreover, the government can also target their support towards youth who face greater barriers to the job market, which includes low-income and marginalized students. Increasing investment in training programs that help with in-demand skills and career guidance can help young people transition from education to work more smoothly. To address the softened job market caused by AI, the government can integrate AI literacy and skills education into schools and programs, as preparing students with a strong understanding of AI is essential for success in adapting to its impact. 

While government action is important, students can also play a role in improving their own employment outcomes by attempting to build experience early. The first step students can take is to actively seek work-integrated learning opportunities such as applying for internships or volunteer roles. Experiences like these can help students build skills that will help them stand out in a competitive and crowded job market. Students can also try to focus on developing skills that will transfer across industries, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, which are valued across many different industries. Students can also make use of professional connections by networking, seeking mentorship, and using school or government employment resources. 

Ultimately, the challenges I faced while searching for a job was not personal but rather something many youths in Canada are currently experiencing. The rain that poured down after my long day of handing out resumes is a reflection of the frustration and discouragement students are facing today. However, the rise of youth unemployment is not caused by students but rather influenced by a broader economic and technological factor that have reduced the availability of jobs for teens. By addressing the issue both systemically and individually, youth unemployment can be reduced and allow students to find the work that they are seeking.