Struggles of Immigrant Youth: Rising Unemployment Rates in Canada.
Abyssinnia Abebe, a 20-year-old immigrant from Ethiopia, faced an uphill battle in her search for employment in Canada. After arriving as a permanent resident, Abebe spent eight months applying for jobs, submitting over 150 applications during that time.
Her experience reflects a growing trend. Unemployment among immigrants aged 15 to 24 with permanent residency has surged by 58.9% from August 2023 to August 2024, according to an analysis by Capital Current, which examined Statistics Canada data on immigrant unemployment.
“I found it very hard to get a job. I was actively looking throughout the year, sending out resumes everywhere. Often, I either did not hear back or had interviews but received no follow-up,” Abebe explained.
Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the federal New Democratic Party, recognizes that unemployment affects many young people, regardless of their background. “It’s a significant issue for both those born here and newcomers,” he said during a recent interview outside a student event at Carleton University.
Singh emphasized the need for immigration numbers to align with job market demands. “We need to ensure that immigration meets our requirements, especially with an aging population,” he added.
Abebe eventually secured a position through the Federal Student Work Experience Program, which assists undergraduate and graduate students in finding work within the federal public service.
She noted that many of the jobs she applied for required a bachelor’s degree, which placed her in direct competition with graduates. As a second-year student, this led to numerous rejections.
Michelle Carbert from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada responded to inquiries from Capital Current, stating, “Newcomer youth face additional barriers to employment compared to their Canadian peers.”
Carbert highlighted various challenges, including cultural and language barriers, difficulties in getting foreign education recognized, and a lack of Canadian work experience or professional networks. She added that older immigrants generally have an easier time finding work compared to younger ones.
“The experiences of newcomer youth differ from those of adult newcomers. We prioritize programs to ensure they receive the support and opportunities needed to thrive,” Carbert stated.
The high unemployment rate among immigrant youth can also be linked to the fact that while the main applicant in an economic program often has a job secured upon arrival, accompanying spouses and older dependents might not have the same opportunities, Carbert noted.
All permanent residents can access settlement services both before and after arriving in Canada. In the past year, 182,200 clients aged 15 to 30 utilized these services, which include needs assessments, employment assistance, orientation, and language training for youth exiting school.
As Abebe’s employment contract is set to end in December, she expresses concern about her job search. “I pay for my own rent and food. I don’t want to burden my parents. I want to support myself,” she said.
“It’s concerning. The job market is uncertain, and everything feels insecure,” Abebe concluded.
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