Background 10000 Youth Summer Jobs Campaign

Youth Unemployment Landscape

• The youth unemployment rate is the highest it’s been since 2014 (excluding COVID-19 years).

• Youth specific employment programs have been cut by Ontario’s Integrated Employment Services 

• 28% of Black youth are unemployed. This is twice the national average of 14.3%.

• 35% of Indigenous youth and 31% of newcomer youth are unemployed.

• Black and Indigenous youth are underrepresented in the labour market and overrepresented in the criminal justice system.

• Youth are the first to be laid off during economic turmoil due to lower seniority, reduced power, less experience and fewer professional networks.

Unemployment After COVID-19

• Pandemic disproportionately impacted youth, particularly equity-deserving youth.

• Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) youth unemployment increased from 12% to 23%.

• Racialized youth are disproportionately represented amount NEET youth.

• NEET youth face societal, institutional and individual systemic barriers to employment.

• Increase in youth mental health challenges after the pandemic.

Effect of Youth Unemployment

• Greater unemployment in the future

• Lower wages

• Lack of benefits

• Precarious work conditions

• Fewer career opportunities/development

Connection Between Youth Unemployment and Youth Violence

• Research from successful SYEP programs in the United States shows:

  • New York City: 100,000 youth in the program

    • Felony arrests decreased by 23%

    • Less incarceration for youth for 5 years after participating in SYEP

  • Chicago: 25, 974 youth in the program

    • Violent crimes decreased by 43%

    • Decreased youth involvement with the criminal justice system

  • Atlanta: 5,135 youth in the program

    • Violent crimes decreased by 28%

    • Youth arrests down 400 from the previous year before starting the SYEP

• Poverty with a lack of economic opportunity and systemic exclusion from stable and meaningful employment increases the risk of youth violence.

SYEP Survey Results

SYEP surveys of participating youth revealed that: 

• 90% of youth gained new skills

• 86% of youth made professional connections

• 88% of youth improved their hope for the future

• 90% of youth will participate in SYEP in the future

SYEP Benefits

• Reduced unemployment

• Economic growth

• Social inclusion

• Mentoring and networking

• Financial independence

• Violence prevention

• Investment in future workforce

• Capacity building

• Collaborative partnerships

• Skill development

• Career exploration

• Wraparound support

SYEP Protective Factors

• Access to career paths, work placements, employment programs and internships

• Skill development enables safer transition to adulthood

• Increased social capital and community connections

• Prioritized tailored opportunities for equity-deserving youth who face barriers

• Wraparound support to reduce the effect of systemic barriers

• Partnerships with the city, private sector, community organizations and diverse industry employers