Job market more complicated for youth
What do you want to be when you grow up?

We’ve all wrestled with this question.

Some know the answer right away. Others change their minds constantly. A good number of us don’t have a clue.

What’s becoming clear is that breaking into the job market is tougher and more complicated for today’s youth.

“At the height of COVID youth unemployment, youth unemployment rose to almost 30 per cent. It was devastating,” said Tim Lang, president and CEO of Youth Employment Services (YES).

He said the pandemic was very hard on businesses that hire a good number of young people. These include the hospitality and retail sectors.

The youth unemployment rate dropped significantly as the economy opened up, said Lang.

“Which is good, but it’s still double the national average, which is concerning when youth are unemployed for long periods of time,” he said. “It can not only hurt their mental health, but the future of the economy as well.”

Lang says YES has been trying to innovate and look at strategies for youth to “upskill and re-skill” in areas of the future like digital literacy and the trades.

https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/job-market-more-complicated-for-youth-4464630

CEO Tim Lang discusses YES’ new Mental Health Curriculum and how YES staff and Board have helped YES grow, serve more youth and prepare YES for the future.

https://torontoguardian.com/2021/08/toronto-charities-yes/

As the pandemic effects wane, YES’ Timothy Lang was interviewed regarding youth employment trends, issues and how things have changed since the pandemic began.

• The Globe and Mail – ‘War for talent:’ Retail, restaurants offer perks to lure workers in hot job market
• BNN Bloomberg – ‘War for talent:’ Retail, restaurants offer perks to lure workers in hot job market
• Toronto Star – ‘War for talent:’ Retail, restaurants offer perks to lure workers in hot job market
• 680 News – ‘War for talent:’ Retail, restaurants offer perks to lure workers in hot job market
• MSN.com – ‘War for talent:’ Retail, restaurants offer perks to lure workers in hot job market
• Yahoo Canada News – ‘War for talent:’ Retail, restaurants offer perks to lure workers in hot job market

With the economic recovery creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, YES President & CEO Tim Lang was interviewed by Canadian Press, and carried on over 85 different media outlets,  regarding the transition youth have made during the pandemic to seek employment.  YES has played an important role in helping thousands of youth by providing “pandemic proof” jobs, including the new YES2Tech Cloud computing programs, and working with thousands of businesses to place youth.

• Yahoo! Finance Canada – Canadian economy added 230,700 jobs in June
• Yahoo! News Canada – Canadian economy added 230,700 jobs in June
• MSN Canada – Canadian economy added 230,700 jobs in June
• Toronto Star – Canadian economy added 230,700 jobs in June
• Global News – Canadian economy added 230,700 jobs in June
• CTV News – Canadian economy added 230,700 jobs in June
• CP24 – Canadian economy added 230,700 jobs in June
• City News Ottawa – Canadian economy added 230,700 jobs in June
• Ottawa Business Journal – Canadian economy added 230,700 jobs in June

The Globe & Mail reported on Canada’s job growth in June 2021 with insight form Timothy Lang, YES- Youth Employment Services President & CEO. Lang discussed the growth and what organizations like YES have done to help thousands of youth find new work after the global pandemic.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-canada-adds-230700-new-jobs-in-june-jobless-rate-falls-as-covid-19/

The Toronto Star reported on Canada adding 230,700 new jobs and interviewed YES President & CEO, Timothy Lang regarding YES activities and how YES has helped youth.

https://www.thestar.com/business/2021/07/09/statistics-canada-says-economy-added-230700-jobs-in-june-all-part-time.html?rf