Calgary Youth Job Fair Addresses Newcomer Employment Challenges in Competitive Market
A significant youth-focused employment event took place at the Genesis Centre in northeast Calgary on Thursday, February 5, 2026, drawing hundreds of young job-seekers and numerous employers. The gathering, organized by The Immigrant Education Society (TIES), specifically targeted the growing employment barriers faced by newcomers and racialized youth in Canada's current labour landscape.
Addressing Systemic Employment Barriers
The Employer Appreciation & Youth Networking Event emerged as a crucial initiative as youth unemployment rates continue to climb across the country. According to recent statistics, Canada's overall unemployment rate reached 6.8 percent in December, with Alberta experiencing a slightly higher rate of seven percent. The situation proves particularly challenging for young Canadians, with national youth unemployment standing at 13.3 percent. Calgary's youth unemployment presents an even more concerning picture, having risen to 19.6 percent in September from 13.4 percent just two years earlier.
Rodas Gebrekidan, a 28-year-old immigrant from Ethiopia who arrived in Canada in January 2025, highlighted the primary obstacle many newcomers encounter. "As a newcomer, how can we have references or referrals?" she questioned, emphasizing the catch-22 situation many immigrants face when seeking employment without established Canadian networks.
Practical Support and Immediate Results
Gebrekidan, currently participating in TIES' Empowering Youth Through Employment program, described how the initiative provides essential job-seeking skills that many newcomers lack upon arrival. "I didn't even know how to write my resume, or how to apply for jobs," she admitted. "I was really lost. This is a program where you get that support to learn those skills." Her participation yielded immediate results, with Gebrekidan securing a job interview within just fifteen minutes of the event's commencement.
Approximately 300 young job-seekers registered for Thursday's networking opportunity, with organizers anticipating additional attendees throughout the afternoon. The event facilitated direct connections between applicants and potential employers in a structured, supportive environment designed to bridge the gap between job-seekers and hiring organizations.
Employer Engagement and Program Success
Among the participating employers was JBS Foods Canada, a company with previous experience hiring through TIES initiatives. Recruitment supervisor Catherine Campos expressed the company's ongoing commitment to finding talent through such programs. "We came here to continue looking for talent," Campos stated. "We always welcome everyone to apply, and hopefully we can find people to join our team in the future."
TIES manager of employment and career development Mayssoun Hniedi provided insight into the compounded challenges facing newcomer youth. Young job-seekers already face obstacles entering the workforce, but those challenges are compounded for newcomers who didn't grow up in Canada and may not be familiar with Canadian workplace culture, Hniedi explained. Her perspective carries personal weight, having immigrated to Canada from Syria as a teenager in 1993.
Building Pathways to Employment
The event represents a proactive approach to addressing systemic employment barriers in several key areas:
- Providing newcomers with essential job-seeking skills they may lack upon arrival
- Creating direct connections between employers and underrepresented job-seekers
- Addressing the specific challenges of youth unemployment in Calgary's current economy
- Helping employers access diverse talent pools they might otherwise overlook
As Canada continues to welcome immigrants while navigating a tight labour market, initiatives like TIES' youth networking events serve as crucial bridges between newcomers seeking opportunity and employers seeking talent. The success stories emerging from such programs demonstrate the potential for targeted interventions to create meaningful employment pathways for those facing the greatest barriers in today's competitive job market.
