Canada's Job Market Shows Improvement, But Youth Struggle to Land Summer Jobs Amid Rising Competition

Canada's overall unemployment rate declined to 6.6% in May, but many young people are still finding it difficult to secure summer work. For 15-year-old Eliana Tesgzeab, the search has been discouraging. "It makes me feel frustrated sometimes, and it makes me lose hope," she said. After spending weeks submitting applications, she is still waiting for an employer to call. "I feel like it's really hard because there's a lot more people coming from different countries, and there's less opportunity for younger kids to look for jobs because they want more people that work full-time. So it's pretty difficult."

Her experience reflects a broader trend. According to Statistics Canada, while the national unemployment rate fell from 6.9% in April to 6.6% in May, the youth unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 24 remained significantly higher at 13.4%. Although that marks the first decline since January, the youth unemployment rate has remained above its pre-pandemic average of 10.8% since January 2024.

Fewer Opportunities for Young Workers

Lina Raffoul, head manager at Horizon Carrière in Saint-Leonard, said the organization has seen a noticeable decline in opportunities for young job seekers. "We have been noticing a big difference. We're talking about 25% less job offers this year than in an average year. And unfortunately, it is not a one-year issue. It's not just one specific situation happening now, but it is more and more a constant reality that we are facing for the jobs of youth."

Raffoul said employers are being more cautious about creating new positions, leaving young workers among the first to feel the effects. "Usually, when there are less opportunities, youth are the first to face those difficulties. It's usually opening jobs, jobs that are also in the front line. So there is one part that's related to the market being more, I would say, trying to open less opportunities at this point, less jobs, be more prudent in their way of offering new opportunities."

She added that several factors are contributing to the trend, including employers being more cautious about hiring, reluctance to create new positions, and the increasing presence of artificial intelligence in entry-level work.

Competition Remains High

Despite the challenges, Tesgzab continues applying for jobs in industries that traditionally hire teenagers. "I've looked into the mall industry, like shoes, like JD Sports or fast food even, because that's where they tend to hire more teenagers."

Statistics Canada reported that retail trade continues to employ the largest share of returning students, accounting for 28.4% of employed students in May. Accommodation and food services followed at 23%, while information, culture and recreation employed 12.6%.

Although the unemployment rate among returning students fell to 18% from 20.1% a year earlier, competition for available positions remains strong.

Support Systems and Solutions

Raffoul said supporting both employers and young job seekers will be key to improving access to summer employment. She said organizations like Horizon Carrière help young people prepare résumés, practise interviews, explore career options and connect with education and employment services, but believes additional investment is needed to help youth navigate an increasingly competitive labour market.

"I would say it is important to recognize that in situations like the ones that we're feeling now and that youth are facing right now, what our society needs to do is to invest more in supporting youth and not cut services that allow them to be supported and to be helped in the market and helped in their schooling and in their emotions and their anxiety."

Moving Forward

As for Tesgzab, she hopes employers will also be willing to give more young people a chance. "Maybe they just need to be more lenient with the rules and just give opportunities to more youth."

Despite the setbacks, she says she isn't giving up. "I'm going to continue trying, and eventually I will find a job. But to people out there looking for a job, just keep hope and just keep applying, I guess."