Young people are looking for jobs — just not where employers are looking to hire them, a new survey shows.
Most small businesses prefer personal connections and networks to recruit young Canadians, with six in 10 (62 per cent) preferring them over online job boards (44 per cent), a survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shows.
This is in contrast to how young Canadians look for jobs, with almost three in four (73 per cent) looking for jobs on online job boards, the survey shows.
While the mismatch is not new, it comes at a time when Canada is facing high youth unemployment.
Younger Canadians, though, saw unemployment rise by a larger margin than the overall rate in April, Statistics Canada shows, as the rate for Canadians aged 15 to 24 rose by half a percentage point to 14.3 per cent.
In September 2025, the youth unemployment rate reached 14.6 per cent — the highest level in 15 years outside the COVID-19 pandemic period.
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Recruitment tools can also differ based on the sector. Almost half (47 per cent) of businesses in the professional services sector, such as accounting and engineering firms, rely on both online job boards and co-op and internship programs to hire people.
Over a third of such businesses also use school or post-secondary career services, the report found.
On the other hand, consumer-facing industries like retail, hospitality and the arts are more open to low-cost tactics such as social media applications, unsolicited applications and walk-ins based on “help wanted” signs.
Larger businesses are more likely to use multiple recruitment methods compared to smaller firms, the survey said.
“For instance, less than a third of businesses with 0–4 employees use online job boards, compared to more than two-thirds of businesses with over 50 employees,” the report added.
Job-seeking trends also differ by province. Quebec youth were less likely to use online job boards and more likely to send in unsolicited applications, while Ontario youth were more likely to use co-op or internship programs and academic career services, the report said.
Most small business employers said they prioritize soft skills and attitude over credentials or experience. More than nine in 10 (91 per cent) said they prioritize their employees having a “positive attitude” or “enthusiasm.”
Additionally, 84 per cent said they look for “motivation,” 76 per cent said they look for “professionalism” and 73 per cent said they want employees to have good communication skills.
Half the degrees being offered don’t prepare people for the workforce at all. University has its place for certain careers, but for a lot of people in Canada it feels like an overpriced system selling credentials that don’t always lead anywhere. Tech degrees are practically useless in the age of information when you can learn these skills more efficiently yourself with the resources available.
Why would anyone hire a canadaian when we import thousands upon thousands of cheap labour garbage.
@Edwin You aren’t wrong about the traded, but might want to check your data on the rest of your diatribe. In late 2025 the amount of job vacancies in Canada was 500,000. In 2025 Canada accepted almost 2.5 million temporary workers and student visas to go along with almost 400,000 new immigrants.
But you don’t need data to see all the foreign workers in pretty much every place students traditionally get their experience.
And your attitude towards our youth pretty much shows you don’t know any. Sure they aren’t perfect, but neither are you. They are still overwhelmingly good kids who are willing to learn and want to work.
Lets face it – this Generation wants a living wage like their grandfathers, and perhaps even their fathers once had. One wage-earner per family.
That is the dream.
And with today’s arrogant youth, they most likely refuse to start at minimum wage because they think they are worth more than they actually are.
I mean – there are a few great kids out there whose heads are screwed on straight, logical, polite and most importantly, helpful. But those seem to be few and far between these days. Kids are bright, they see a bright future – if only they are allowed to spread their wings and fly. With high-paying jobs right out of high school.
Riiiight…
And to those who blame immigration? Get real. The amount if immigrants we bring in pales in comparison to the amount of jobs out there. The reason they end up with low-paying jobs (Your son’s/daughter’s potential first job?) is because of their lack of work experience – and service jobs are easy to train up – right up to Managerial positions. And they stick with it – more and more fast food stores are opening with Canadian Immigrants in the office, and all I can say to them is – Congratulations.
Do you actually know what we need more of here in Canada?
Trades People.
Everything from Welding to Carpentry to Glass blowing.
But folks want the CEO positions right off the start.
That is why a Canadian cognitive reset is needed about Universities and Colleges. Trade Schools are less expensive (?), often shorter training time, faster hands on, and most find jobs in their desired area even before they graduate from the Institute. Our Welders, pipefitters and boilermakers are so well trained that they are in demand world wide! 15 of them walked off the job in the USA because of Trumps abuses, and several oil companies had to curtail operations because no one else was qualified to do what the Canadians were doing down in the US Midwest and Texas!
And you can bet your sweet bitty that these folks were bringing in the dough!!!
But I doubt that is YOUR dream for your child.
Then it is up to YOU to prepare them for the work force. Send to to someones farm to work during summer vacation – for min wage. Teach them hard work, pride, strengthen their bodies and minds, and gets them out of your hair for the summer.
Or
Pass on your families traditional talents or skills. They may translate across to another Job Offer! But to go in blind?
Utter silliness. Why do you think Asian folks push their kids so hard in school? And if not, then their own shop/garage/store/business. Are you doing your kids any favours for the future?
Edwin
Fort Saskatchewan, Ab.
Keep voting liberal you stupid 🏡🤡,s
I was in an Alberta Best Buy the other day, and not a single Canadian student. All east Indian, all with accents, none with an understanding of the products. Shameful.
Resumes have been sent to many employers, often for jobs my teenager has all the qualifications for (sometimes more) and nothing. Stopped into one of the businesses the other day to see who was hired and apparently knowledge of the product or English were not job requirements.
Employers might be saving money with government supplemented hires but if their product quality is failing and so will their business
Promotion of morals, values and character not really a thing any more. Mostly we look for victimhood manufacturing and how persoannly benefit from this. If can find those who take personal responsibilty seriously then they are keepers. Attitude 100% more important that skills or education.
All you drive your kids to school every day people are reaping the benefit of your lack of desire to teach your children independence. Looks good on you.
Remember we don’t hate mainstream media enough!
I see.your imaginary algorithms are failing again Global News
Or do your employees just make a habit of lying your followers
Cities like Toronto are literally paying companies to hire foreigners they’re paying the companies to train foreigner so that means they’re not hiring in Canadians and they’re getting rid of them also. Time to wake up people the government is against us
Young Canadians need to be working if they are left without the challenge of work that will set the tone for the rest of their lives. No good saying they don’t want work they do, they all want money in their pockets and a purpose in life. Time to subsidize young Canadian workers create a benifit to companies to recruit young workers and give them the skills required to navigate life.
Maybe the lazy kiddees won’t settle for less then a manager position. Get indignant when handed a shovel and told to dig.
Global, take your censorship and shove it
The business community only has itself to blame for the labour shortage
What a disgrace by the Carney and Trudeau Libs. They caused this problem with runaway immigration.
So it is the young peoples fault, not the fact we are bringing in millions of immigrants and the government subsidizing companies to hire them.