Youth unemployment on the rise in B.C.: Statistics Canada
The youth unemployment rate rose by 4.5% in December 2024 compared to the same period in 2023
Cassandra Ogalino, a second-year political science student at the University of British Columbia, has been searching for work since last summer.
Despite sending out over 120 job applications online, Ogalino says she has yet to secure a permanent position.
"I felt like I really wasn't getting anywhere, and I just didn't know what was wrong with my resumé," she said. "I think I got called in for interviews probably two or three times."
Though she landed a seasonal job at the Pacific National Exhibition as a lottery vendor, it lasted only a few weeks.
The undergrad student says the lack of a stable income has forced her to move back in with her family.
Ogalino's experience highlights a growing challenge for many young British Columbians, as recent data reveals an increase in the province's youth unemployment rate.
According to Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey for December 2024, released last week, the unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 to 24 rose to 12.9 percent in December, marking a 4.5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Pippa O'Brien, a Statistics Canada analyst and economist, says the uptick is part of a broader trend.
"There's been an upward trend that we've been seeing since January of 2024, so really, over the last year, youth unemployment in B.C. has been steadily increasing from January until August, and since then, it's been pretty flat," she said.
Across Canada, youth employment increased by 39,000 in full-time positions and 34,000 in part-time roles over the past year.
"But when you look at the situation in B.C., the story changes," O'Brien explained.
Data reveals that B.C. saw a decline of 25,000 full-time youth jobs between December 2023 and December 2024, while the number of part-time positions grew by 32,000.
O'Brien says that's partly because many young people prefer part-time work while balancing school.
"The majority of youth who are unemployed right now were previously in school and are now looking for a job."
Despite the challenges, the provincial government has highlighted broader gains in the labour market.
December’s Labour Force Survey is here! We closed out 2024 with an increase of 14,100 jobs, continued growth in private sector with 4,300 jobs, & youth employment increasing by 8,700 jobs. These numbers show how strong BC’s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/economy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#economy</a> is despite the economic challenges we’re facing <a href="https://t.co/oIkzF3ovkQ">pic.twitter.com/oIkzF3ovkQ</a>
—@Diana_Gibson_BCIn a statement last week, Diana Gibson, B.C.'s minister of jobs, economic development, and innovation, said the province added 14,100 jobs in December, including 8,700 youth jobs.
While there were more new positions available last month, the province says the labour force grew faster, with nearly 1,200 youth looking for work.
"B.C.'s labour market outlook shows nearly 117,000 job openings in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) occupations over the next decade," Gibson said. "We're investing nearly $75 million over three years toward creating 3,000 new tech-relevant spaces so more people can train for good jobs."
Networking key to make up for lack of experience
But Ogalino says even part-time opportunities feel out of reach.
"I just like never really got anything back," she said.
"A lot of employers want experience, but it's really hard to get that if you haven't really worked for that long."
Recruitment expert Mike Shekhtman says young job seekers need to adopt strategies to stand out in a competitive market.
"There's not only more competition, there's just fewer jobs that people are fighting for, which leaves a lot of the youths out a little bit in the cold," said Shekhtman, senior regional director at Robert Half, a Vancouver-based employment agency.
He recommends job seekers tailor their resumés to specific jobs rather than sending the same one everywhere they apply, build soft skills, and, more importantly, network.
"Especially if you may not have industry experience," Shekhtman added. "You should leverage various associations, such as your alumni group, and even your volunteering experience, to build new networks [that could] help [connect you] with specific companies."
For now, Ogalino says her primary focus remains on her academics.
"I'm not really sure how it's going to go for me, but I think my best bet is just to focus on school for now."
With files from Michelle Morton