Helping 40,000 young people in Canada gain skills and find jobs

In Canada, more than 840,000 young people are unemployed, or not receiving the education and training they need to build a future for themselves.

By working closely with Canadian businesses, the Government of Canada is making sure that more young Canadians – of all backgrounds and abilities – have the skills and work experience they need to find and maintain good jobs.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau met with young people at the first hiring event organized by Opportunity For All Youth, a coalition of major Canadian businesses. The coalition is supported by MaRS Discovery District and empowers young people to find good jobs and training opportunities. The Opportunity For All Youth coalition includes Starbucks, Walmart, HMSHost, Tridel Corporation, The Source, Coast Capital Savings, TELUS and Teleperformance, and is supported by MaRS Discovery District. The Government of Canada contributed $100,000 toward the coalition’s project. “Too many young Canadians are ready to work but have a hard time getting their foot in the door. We are working with major Canadian businesses and key partners to break down the barriers facing many young people, so they can jumpstart their careers, and find jobs that make the best use of their skills and talents,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
In January 2018, the Government of Canada launched the design phase of Canada Service Corps, Canada’s new national youth service initiative. Canada Service Corps will encourage young Canadians to get involved in meaningful service opportunities in communities across Canada and gain valuable skills and experience that will benefit them in every aspect of life. It will also provide young Canadians with service opportunities that currently do not exist.

The Government of Canada is supporting Opportunity For All Youth’s project, which aims to provide meaningful employment for 40,000 vulnerable NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) young Canadians. Each year, the Government of Canada invests on average $330 million in the Youth Employment Strategy to help young people gain the skills and work experience they need to find and maintain good employment.

The coalition of Canadian businesses will work closely together, along with governments, community organizations, and employment services agencies, to develop youth-focused hiring and retention strategies, and connect more young people with good jobs, and education and training opportunities.

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