The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin released a report looking at youth and summer jobs.There are concerns among employers that youth stepped away from the market last year for several reasons.At the request of local stakeholders, the Workforce Planning Board pulled together data around youth employment from the summers of 2020 to 2022 to see which youth removed themselves, which ones remained in the market and which youth had success.In many communities, 15- to 19-year-olds removed themselves from the market, except in Guelph where more youth were engaged in employment than in 2020.In some areas, these engaged youth had problems securing employment and were more likely to be unemployed. Many 20 to 24 year olds across Waterloo, Wellington and Dufferin remained at stable engagement rates and numbers.In most communities, 25- to 29-year-olds fared better. In the rural areas of the region, the same group were more likely to remove themselves, but those who did engage were more likely to be employed. This group often had the highest engagement rates in the urban areas.Charlene Hofbauer, Executive Director at the Workforce Planning Board, said, “This data has really helped us understand that our employers did face some challenges finding staff. It also helps explain why some employers were struggling to hire some roles while succeeding with other types of roles. This data gives us a chance to talk to businesses about what happened and how they can attract these youth into the market as we head into hiring season.”
Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin release report looking at youth and summer jobs
