Young Albertans are facing one of the toughest summer job markets in recent memory. The Financial Post reports that summer job postings have dropped by 22 percent across Canada, leaving students scrambling for entry-level work that once felt like a given. “It’s just so much harder for students to find that crucial first job,” the article warns, a reality that threatens to stall young people’s early work experience, earnings, and confidence.
But here in Edmonton and across Alberta there’s another side to this story. Some industries aren’t just open to young workers; they urgently need them.
Take Alberta’s trades sector. Through conversations with employers like Southgate Collision Centre in Edmonton, Prospect’s team continues to hear the same message: demand for new apprentices is strong, but employers face barriers finding youth who are ready to step in. “There’s a huge need for first-year bodywork apprentices,” one employer shared. “But we can only hire those who have completed training, like the NAIT Autobody Technician program, because the industry is tough to break into without that foundation.”
It’s not just about one shop. Across the province, many trades employers are “top heavy,” with experienced workers whose average age is between 46 - 55 and many set to retire within five years. This leaves an urgent gap that employers can’t fill alone.
Meanwhile, Alberta’s youth unemployment rate remains stubbornly high, hovering near 17%, well above the general provincial rate of around 7%. Entry-level roles that once welcomed green workers now often require experience. Many young people who are eager to work, take whatever short-term or seasonal jobs they can find while planning for post-secondary or training programs that will open more doors.
This is where community partnerships, like the ones Prospect builds every day, make all the difference. By connecting youth to resources, training pathways, career coaching and, most importantly, employers who are willing to invest in new talent, Prospect helps bridge the gap between potential and opportunity. Young Albertans are landing their first jobs in retail, framing, construction, and warehouse roles, gaining confidence and skills that prepare them for longer-term trades careers.
For employers, this is a moment to think long term. Alberta needs a new generation of skilled workers and giving a young person that first chance, whether it’s a seasonal job, an entry-level placement, or a formal apprenticeship, is an investment in Alberta’s economic future. Many businesses that step up to train young workers find it pays off in loyalty, fresh perspectives, and the chance to build a workforce ready for tomorrow’s demands.
Prospect’s message to employers is simple: if you have roles that could launch a young person’s career, consider what support and training you can offer to help them grow into it. The return, for your business, your industry, and our communities is well worth it!