Why the Journey from School to Work Matters
“Young people have absorbed 80% of recent job losses”, states a new parliamentary report on youth employment in Canada (pg. 9). Youth Employment in Canada, Report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, May 2026.
For many young people, the traditional path from school to work is becoming increasingly uncertain. Graduating with a diploma or degree no longer guarantees a smooth transition into employment, and many students are finding themselves caught between employer expectations and limited opportunities to gain experience.
At Reboot Plus, we see these challenges first-hand through our work with students who are navigating the increasingly complex transition from education to employment.
Youth unemployment has increased since before the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the cost of 
living continues to rise, technology is changing the workplace, and many employers expect young people to have work experience before they have had a chance to gain it.
These challenges led the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities to study youth employment across Canada. The committee heard from young people, employers, educators, researchers and community organizations about the barriers young people face as they move from school into the workforce.
As part of the study, Rudy Humbert, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Réseau des carrefours jeunesse-emploi du Québec, noted that young people have borne a disproportionate share of recent job losses. He reported that “the youth unemployment rate ranges from 12% to 20%, which is more than double and sometimes triple the national average,” and that young people “have absorbed 80% of the job losses.”
Their report, Youth Employment in Canada, makes one thing clear: graduating from high school or post-secondary is no longer enough. Young people need support to navigate an increasingly complex path to meaningful employment.
The Journey from School to Work Is Becoming More Complex
“Cohorts graduating into periods of weaker demand face delayed or downgraded first jobs, with repercussions for their subsequent careers.” – Sarah Watts-Rynard, Polytechnics Canada
Today’s young people are preparing for careers in a world that looks very different than it did even a few years ago.
The report highlights several factors making the transition more difficult:
- Higher youth unemployment
- Rising housing and living costs
- Fewer entry-level opportunities in some industries
- Rapid advances in technology and artificial intelligence
- Changing employer expectations
- Increased competition for available jobs
While these challenges affect many young people, they can be even greater for students who face barriers such as financial hardship, mental health challenges, limited professional networks or fewer opportunities to explore careers.
This means career development cannot begin only after graduation. Young people need support much earlier.
What Young People Need to Succeed
The parliamentary report emphasizes that today’s youth need more than classroom learning. They need opportunities to build the knowledge, skills and confidence required to navigate an ever-changing labour market.
The report identifies six key ingredients for successful school-to-work transitions:
- Career exploration to increase awareness of possibilities
- Career guidance to support informed decision-making
- Work experience to build employability skills
- Employer and community connections to expand networks
- Labour market information to understand opportunities
- Transferable skills to adapt to changing industries
These experiences help young people understand not only what jobs exist today, but also how their own interests, strengths and values connect to future careers.
Yet many students still have limited access to these opportunities.
This is where programs like Reboot Plus can make a meaningful difference.
Why Early Career Experiences Matter
One of the strongest messages throughout the report is the importance of early career experiences.
Many employers are looking for candidates with workplace skills and practical experience. Yet many young people struggle to gain that experience because they have not yet entered the workforce.
Career development doesn’t have to begin with a job offer.
Students benefit from opportunities to:
- Meet professionals
- Explore different careers
- Visit workplaces
- Ask questions about occupations
- Learn what employers are looking for
- Build professional networks
These experiences help young people develop confidence while giving them a clearer picture of the many career pathways available.
At Reboot Plus, students participate in informational interviews, career exploration activities and workplace exposure that help make careers feel more accessible and achievable. By connecting students with employers and professionals, they begin building valuable relationships before they enter the job market.
Sometimes one conversation can change the way a young person sees their future.
Understanding the Challenges Young People Face
Youth unemployment is not one single issue. The parliamentary report describes several different challenges that can affect a young person’s journey into employment.
| Challenge | What it means |
| Structural unemployment | Skills no longer match the jobs employers need to fill. |
| Sectoral unemployment | Employment opportunities decline in certain industries or regions. |
| Transitional unemployment | Young people need more time to move from school into meaningful work. |
| Underemployment | Working in jobs that do not fully use a person’s education or skills. |
| Long-term unemployment | Being unemployed for an extended period, making it harder to re-enter the workforce. |
The committee also heard that long periods without meaningful work can “lead to discouragement, a loss of self-confidence and a higher risk of long-term detachment from the labour market.”
Programs like Reboot Plus help address these challenges by supporting students before they become disconnected from education or employment. Through career planning, employer engagement and hope-centred career development, students gain the confidence and knowledge they need to take their next steps.
Building Skills for a Changing World
The world of work continues to evolve.
Artificial intelligence, automation and new technologies are changing how many jobs are performed. While some occupations are changing rapidly, new opportunities are also emerging.
This means young people need more than technical knowledge alone.
They also need skills such as:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Teamwork
- Critical thinking
- Digital literacy
The report also recognizes that some young people need additional supports beyond career training. Challenges such as housing insecurity, food insecurity and mental health can make it difficult to complete education or maintain employment.
Career development works best when it recognizes the whole person.
At Reboot Plus, we believe that building confidence, creating connections and helping students discover their strengths are just as important as preparing them for their first job.
Building Hope for the Future
At its heart, career development is about possibility.
Young people who believe they have options are more likely to continue learning, explore new opportunities and adapt to change throughout their careers.
That is why Reboot Plus uses a hope-centred career development approach.
By helping students identify their strengths, explore career pathways, connect with professionals and build supportive relationships, they gain more than career knowledge. They develop confidence and the ability to navigate an uncertain future.
Hope is about helping young people see realistic pathways toward goals they believe they can achieve.
Looking Ahead
The parliamentary report offers a clear message: supporting young people requires more than helping them find their first job. It requires meaningful experiences, trusted relationships, career guidance and opportunities to explore what is possible before they leave school.
These are the experiences that help young people move from uncertainty to confidence.
At Reboot Plus, we work alongside schools, employers, post-secondary institutions and community organizations to help students build the skills, connections and hope they need for the future.
The Reboot Plus project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre.
Le projet Reboot Plus est financé par le Centre des Compétences futures du gouvernement du Canada.