Our project advocates for the implementation of a City of Toronto Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) to address systemic barriers and offer accessible, meaningful and gainful employment and career pathways for youth. Research from the Toronto Foundation shows that in the Greater Toronto Area, the unemployment rate for youth, aged 15–24, increased by 50% from January 2024 to July 2024.
Why are we doing this?
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.
Affect 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
Back to 10000 Youth Summer Jobs Campaign page