Study reports inconsistencies in the Canadian Youth employment process
Sherbrooke Record · 16 hours ago
by Matthew Mccully · Demographics
Young people job-searching and business owners not on the same page
Record Staff (HB)
A new report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) reveals fundamental discrepancies at every stage of the hiring process in Canada. These include how employers recruit and how young people look for work; their respective expectations of employment; the positions young people are willing to take; and the skills employers seek. This report is based on a survey of small business owners (SBO) and a public opinion poll of young Canadians, according to the press release.
The survey reported that 62 per cent of small business owners rely primarily on their personal contacts to recruit employees, as candidates benefit from the credibility of the person who recommends them. Meanwhile, 73 per cent of young people primarily use job search websites, and only half turn to their personal networks. This disconnect means that employers are recruiting from networks where young people are not actively seeking employment. Work-study programs and internships, which lead to permanent employment in 73 per cent of cases, are used by 25 per cent of young people, and by only 1 in 5 small businesses, indicating a missed opportunity to recruit young people ready to work.
When hiring young people, SBOs place more importance on “soft” skills, such as a positive attitude (91 per cent), motivation (84 per cent), and professionalism (76 per cent), than on degrees, experience, or formal training. These qualities are primarily found in the service sector, skilled trades, and physically demanding jobs, which are precisely the positions that many young Canadians reject. Nearly 50 per cent refuse to consider jobs requiring significant physical effort or night shifts, while almost two out of five do not consider working outdoors.
“The reality is that there are jobs that young Canadians don’t want, can’t, or aren’t willing to take. Whether it’s a resort in northern British Columbia or a restaurant in rural New Brunswick, businesses need workers to maintain their operations and support their local economy. Many young people cannot or do not want to relocate or work the required hours, especially if they are students. If businesses cannot fill these positions, they may have to close,” explained Bérengère Fouqueray, CFIB research analyst, in the release.
Tight margins and persistent economic uncertainty make it more difficult for SBOs to hire new, inexperienced workers. Although most SBOs offer wages above the provincial minimums, which ranges from $15 to $18 per hour, more than a third of young people say they are not interested in minimum-wage jobs.
Additionally, more than two-thirds of SBOs are unaware of government hiring assistance programs. Those familiar with these programs describe them as poorly adapted to the operational realities of SBOs, whose application processes are complicated and deadlines inconvenient. Fouqueray elaborated: “Young workers often need additional training and mentoring, which reduces the time they can dedicate to running the business. This time represents a real cost that should be factored into any public policy aimed at combating youth unemployment.”
The CFIB is calling on governments to reduce payroll taxes, introduce permanent refundable tax credits for hiring young people through work-study programs and internships, and streamline programs like Canada Summer Jobs to reduce red tape.
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