The Entry-Level Conundrum: Why Investing in Young People is Good for Business
After finally finishing up my undergraduate degree and diving into the workforce on a full-time basis, I have finally been fully confronted with the reality that many of my friends have warned me of: the yawning abyss of the Canadian job market. For young people, the current Canadian labour market feels fraught: soaring unemployment, escalating competition, and fading optimism.
For those who are unaware, searching for positions has become a minefield of sketchy requests, multi-stage interview processes that lead to nothing, scam or “ghost” postings on online recruiting sites, and a dearth of long-term, full-time employment at an entry or intermediate level. Traditional networking has become increasingly inaccessible, as quality positions are flooded with applications, and even simple acts like going to a store in-person to hand in a resume are becoming frowned upon to certain organizations.
Challenges Facing the Youth
In May 2025, youth unemployment (ages 15-24) surged to 14%, more than double the adult rate (search.open.canada.ca), and in Ontario, nearly one in four teens could not find work (hrreporter.com). Even post-secondary graduates have seen a rise in unemployment from 4.9 % in 2022 to 5.4 % in 2023, nearly as high as the pre-pandemic figure. Meanwhile, disadvantaged or marginalized groups, such as Indigenous, Black, or racialized youth, face unemployment rates as high as 18 to 22 % (search.open.canada.ca). Time to land jobs has also increased, now taking an average of 17 weeks, compared with just 10 weeks in 2019 (hrreporter.com).
Between extended job searches and repeated rejections, the emotional weight can be heavy. For many of us, including myself, who have worked effectively for years in part time, freelance, and seasonal work, now have little to results when it comes to finding a stable position. This is demoralizing, as we feel increasingly alienated from the promise of a stable future gained from merit. And amid rising costs of living, especially housing, education, and debt, many feel that financial independence is slipping further away.
The Business Opportunity
When companies invest in youth, they don’t just perform social good, they invest in their future workforce. The economic benefits include sustained productivity gains, stronger employer branding, and lower turnover. Studies show reforming youth labour inclusion could add major value: nearly 228,000 new full-time jobs could be added by 2034, and Canada could gain an additional 0.63 % in GDP, equivalent to $18.5 billion (hrreporter.com).
Youth and young adults (ages 15 to 34) make up approximately 25 % of Canada’s population, and only half of nonstudent youth aged 15-24 hold fulltime, permanent jobs—that’s well below the 66% rate for those aged 25-34 (Canada.ca). This large untapped pool represents an opportunity for employers.
Why Hire Youth?
Fresh Skills & Innovation:
Young workers bring a toolkit steeped in recent learning, digital fluency, and cultural agility. Employers report that youth are often well versed in emerging tech, social media, and current market trends, which is valuable for modernizing workflows and marketing strategies. They often approach challenges without being anchored by “the way things have always been done.” This openness to experimentation fosters creative problem-solving and new approaches.
Growing Talent Pipelines:
Companies that establish internships, co-op programs, and youth mentorship pipelines cultivate home-grown talent attuned to their operations, which reduces recruitment churn, builds loyalty, and as experience accrues, makes them even more productive.
Cost Effective and Strategic:
Many Canadian youth hiring subsidies and wage support programs (e.g., Canada Summer Jobs) further reduce costs for willing employers. SMEs and startups have particularly benefited: hiring youth for roles like digital marketing, customer engagement, and social media outreach can boost presence without high overhead.
Engagement:
Their energy and enthusiasm can energize teams: young hires are often eager to learn, adaptable, and ready to take responsibility. When employers invest in youth, they gain employees who learn company values and stay longer, boosting retention.
Branding and Reputation:
Public reputation improves if a firm is seen as helping to solve youth unemployment – it aligns with CSR values, which helps attract top candidates and generate goodwill.
How Employers Can Act
Prioritize Skills and Potential:
Focus less on prior experience and more on adaptability, drive, and learning potential. Provide onboarding and real training and invest in those who show willingness to grow.
Align with Emerging Needs:
Equip youth with training in high-growth areas: digital skills, green tech, health services, data analysis. Partner with governments, nonprofits, or internal trainers to run short modular training aligned with business roles.
Expand Internship and Co-op Programs:
Partner with local colleges and universities. Build structured internships that offer real responsibility, mentorship, and feedback. Add apprenticeship pathways tied to permanent roles.
Leverage Government Supports:
Take advantage of programs like Canada Summer Jobs, YESS, and Student Work Placement programs. Many offer wage subsidies, especially for firms with fewer than 50 employees or for hiring youth from underrepresented groups.
Foster Inclusive Hiring:
Create accessible pathways for youth facing barriers, such as Indigenous youth, Black youth, and youth with disabilities, who all face higher unemployment rates and lagging labour market access. Inclusion not only serves social equity but strengthens the talent base.
Final Thoughts
If you're young, yes, it can feel daunting, bewildering, even exhausting. But your skills, enthusiasm, and cultural agility are powerful. If you're an employer, this moment holds immense opportunity: the youth are ready to contribute, but they need doors opened. By hiring, mentoring, and investing in young Canadians, businesses can build the future workforce now. And in doing so, they help rebuild hope across the nation.