Alyssa Hall spent four years studying at Brock University earning her degree in gender studies and political science, but this will be her first summer working in Niagara.
Every spring she’d return to Sarnia. In part because her friends did the same, but also going home gave her the opportunity to live with her parents, work as many hours as possible and save money — and,
hopefully, gain experience within her chosen field of study.
Her experience was similar to that of other students, but now as vice-president of external affairs with Brock’s students union (BUSU), she is learning more about barriers facing students in accessing summer
employment.
Statistics Canada said the country’s youth unemployment rate in May increased to 10.8 per cent, hitting a seventh-month high, with 77,000 fewer Canadians in the 15 to 24 age group holding a job month-over-
month.
Local numbers held fairly steady, but Niagara Workforce Planning Board said youth employment is the one area which that has not yet rebounded from the pandemic.
From the employers’ standpoint, it is not a lack of available positions.
Gary Bruce, manager of Niagara College’s community employment service program — it assists people looking for work — said the demand for workers is clear, as its job board is full every day. But there has
been a “significant drop-off” in the number of students entering or applying for work.
“When I first started in the industry, it was a little bit of a different labour market,” said Bruce, who has more than 20 years’ experience. “You put a job posting up and you get lots of resumes … from a job seeker
standpoint, it was much more competitive to find work. Today, it’s reverse. Employers are in competition for the people that are job-seeking.”
