(Muara Digital Team) — Sheena Ngigi, 24, believed that her biochemistry degree from the University of Alberta would lead to a straightforward job opportunity. Mathias Ashaba, also 24, aimed to use his business degree after moving to the country from Uganda last year.
Both have submitted applications for numerous jobs they are qualified for. Yet, at every step, they claim they have been turned down — sometimes not even receiving a response. Ngigi has shifted to applying for receptionist and restaurant positions in the meantime, although with no success so far, while after nearly a year of effort, Ashaba finally secured a job as a cleaner at a public school.
you dedicate several hours daily to searching for employment,” ngigi stated. “individuals who have been part of the industry for an extended period are applying for positions that should be intended for recent graduates.
The proportion of young individuals employed across Canada has dropped to its lowest point since 1998, not counting the years affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. July saw the weakest employment growth for those aged 16 to 24, as calculated by economists at credit union Alberta Central. The nation’s youth unemployment rate is currently 15%.
Although the immediate effect of US tariffs on Canada has been restricted to specific sectors,concernsdue to the US President Donald Trump’s trade war, companies have begun to reduce hiring, which typically affects individuals seeking their first job more. This follows a surge during the pandemic eraimmigrationincreased the number of individuals vying for entry-level positions, similar to how the advancement of artificial intelligence and a slowing economy caused white-collar companies to reduce their workforce. Additionally, with ongoing U.S. trade discussions, concerns about a potential economic decline persist.
Whether it’s making new investments or hiring many workers, there’s simply no interest among businesses to do so due to the significant uncertainty we’re still facing today,” said Claire Fan, an economist at the Royal Bank of Canada. “It’s the uncertainty that is currently preventing hiring demand from increasing.
Low Supply
Although the Canadian economy has remained relatively strong despite Trump’s trade conflict, the struggles in the youth employment sector could indicate that growth is slowing down, an important factor for the Bank of Canada as it decides when to take action.cut interest rates.
Canada’s unemployment ratehas increased to 6.9%, up from 6.6% at the start of the year, as reported by Statistics Canada. The proportion of unemployed individuals who have been without a job for over six months is the highest since 1998.
With fewer job opportunities available, some older workers are now vying for entry-level positions that are usually filled by newcomers, intensifying the competition. Ashaba, a business graduate living in Toronto, estimates that he applied for over 30 entry-level jobs across various fields, including customer service and construction.
I found it extremely challenging,” he stated. “Employers asked for experience, but how can I gain it without having a job?
‘Career Scarring’
As businesses implement automation to reduce expenses and eliminate positions, recent college graduates are increasingly taking on jobs that exceed their qualifications.
We are receiving engineering graduates who are struggling to find work in more competitive areas,” stated Tim Lang, the chief executive officer of Youth Employment Services in Toronto. “We have noticed an increased level of desperation among many young people who have applied for hundreds of positions without receiving any replies.
The effects of this trend may last for many years ahead. Carrie Axten, who assists young individuals in entering the job market at Prospect Human Services, an employment charity based in Alberta, cautions about “career scarring” that can affect an employee’s future opportunities if their first job is delayed.
Entry-level positions are essential for young individuals to acquire skills such as time management and collaboration, she mentioned. This is especially important for high school students. Tara Alex-Hamah, a 15-year-old from Toronto, estimates that she has applied for 50 job opportunities, ranging from grocery stores to McDonald’s to the library. She simply desires a job to earn some extra money and save for university, but she is now close to giving up.
It’s somewhat disappointing because you don’t even receive a rejection email, you’re just being ignored,” she said during an interview before the beginning of her third year of high school in September. “Right now, I think I’ll just concentrate on my studies.
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