With fierce competition and limited opportunities in the workforce, many young Albertans continue to struggle to find a job in the current economy.
According to the Alberta Economic Dashboard, the unemployment rate in Alberta remained steady at 6.5 per cent in November, a drop from 7.8 per cent in October.
Young Albertans find it especially hard to find work, with the unemployment rate for those aged 15-24 hovering at about 13.5 per cent.
Tracey Jennix, Employer Services Manager of Prospect Human Services — a nonprofit organization helping and giving Albertans tools to find employment — says the rate of individuals searching and applying for jobs doesn’t match the number of employers hiring.
This imbalance translates into considerable competition among young people seeking work in the prairie province.
“So, whereas you might have been competing against 100 other applicants previously, now you’re competing against 300 other applicants. And we’re finding that job creation is not keeping up with the demand for jobs,” said Jennix.
Another factor in the lack of jobs is AI and employers’ understanding of how to handle current tariffs, says Leda Stawnychko, an associate professor of strategy with the Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal University.
Stawnychko adds that U.S. tariffs are causing problems, as Canadian companies invest more in security and technology. At the same time, innovations such as AI mean many low-value jobs are no longer available.
“I think what we’re seeing is an international trend, connected to automation and technologies like AI. And then we have this other problem with the tariffs, which is making employers nervous as to, you know, kind of understanding what kind of skill set they need,” said Stawnychko.
AI and tariffs are likely squeezing young people out of the job market, says Jennix.
“It’s tough out there, especially for youth and individuals [who] don’t have a lot of work experience behind them,” she said. “We’re seeing them really, really struggling right now.”
Along with these current challenges in finding a job, both Jennix and Stawnychko recommend networking and making connections, saying that even small measures go a long way.
Jennix suggests that people looking for work attend events or workshops, or reach out to people they know.
In building further connections, Stawnychko emphasizes building relationships with people and being intentional about pursuing work. She also advises being open to entry-level jobs that may later be an initial step towards something great.
“Every time you go into a work situation or volunteer situation, what happens is you access a network. And science says that the people you associate with have a lot to do with your own experience,” said Stawnychko.
To better understand how to navigate the workforce in Alberta, Jennix encourages individuals to reach out to career services such as Prospect Human Services for advice and perspective.
Even though there may be challenges in finding a job, Jennix reminds those searching that they are not alone and not to be discouraged.
“You’re certainly not the only person going through this out there,” said Jennix.