While the unemployment rate for 15 to 24 year olds remained very high at 11.1% last month, compared to 4.7% for 25 to 54 year olds, young job seekers met by The Journal in recent days said they felt a slight brake, without however losing their optimism for the market.
“I have applied for several internships since last August and for the moment I have no response,” shares Carla Terlier, 19, student at ESG UQAM, marketing concentration, who would like to get a job in travel, luxury or Formula 1.
“I’m 22, I can’t have 10 years of experience. I’m not looking for super high positions, but basic management,” adds Alexandrine Gougeon, a bachelor’s degree information technology graduate at ESG UQAM.
Alexandrine Gougeon, a baccalaureate information technology graduate at ESG UQAM, was interested in a job with the battery manufacturer Northvolt.
Photo Francis Halin
“I wanted to apply at Northvolt, but I learned what was happening and I’m a little afraid to do it, even if the idea behind it is interesting,” she confides while the recent financial difficulties of the battery manufacturer are on everyone’s lips.
In a note published at the beginning of the month, Desjardins highlighted that employment, in decline among all ages for a year, is falling even more among young people (-4.9 points).
Summer Jobs
Not to mention their recent difficulty finding summer employment, according to Statistics Canada.
“Certain industries continue to show more difficulties, such as accommodation and catering, as well as “other services”, which depend more directly on consumer demand. Purchasing power reduced by the rise in the cost of living (particularly for housing) contributes to slowing down activity in sectors dependent on discretionary spending,” analyzes Florence Jean-Jacobs, senior economist at Desjardins.
Provided by Desjardins
Among the optimists, Adam Aougar, 20, a computer programming student at Collège Universel, has not lost hope of obtaining good contracts.
“Everyone can have a part-time or full-time job, you just have to really want it,” he believes.
Adam Aougar, 20, is convinced that he will find what suits him in the video game industry, despite the difficulties in the sector with the reduction in tax credits.
Photo Francis Halin
Same thing for Holling Scheinder, 31, who has worked in metal for a good ten years as a precision sheet metal worker.
When The Journal hung it at the Jobs and Training Fair at Complexe Desjardins in recent days, he had a smile from ear to ear when he saw the number of SMEs looking for workers like him.
Holling Scheinder, 31, couldn’t believe how much his job as a precision sheet metal worker was in demand at the Complexe Desjardins Jobs and Training Fair.
Photo Francis Halin
“It’s excellent. There are quite a few jobs for over $40 an hour. I provided ample CVs. I even went and printed some more, and came back. I go fishing with this. We’ll see if it bites or not,” he concludes.
Do you have any information to share with us about this story?
Write to us at or call us directly at 1 800-63SCOOP.
