From Disconnection to Opportunity: Supporting Canada’s Young Workforce
Canada’s labour market is becoming increasingly challenging for young people. Programs like Reboot Plus, which offer tailored supports for diverse needs, show how small strategic changes can make a big difference. For marginalized youth, entering the workforce in a meaningful way this i
s especially challenging. Despite being digitally fluent and full of potential, many struggle to access quality work and career development opportunities.
With funding from the Future Skills Centre, Douglas College and PEERs Employment and Education Resources have tested the Reboot Plus model locally and nationally. Working with partners in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Newfoundland, we have helped youth reconnect with education, explore post-secondary pathways, and build long-term career trajectories. Here’s what we learned.
Youth in a Challenging Labour Market
Recent data highlights the urgency:
- The youth unemployment rate was 1% in October 2025 (Statistics Canada).
- About 8% of Canadians aged 15 to 29 were classified as NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) in 2024 (Employment and Social Development Canada).
These figures show how volatile and uncertain labour market entry remains, especially for young people who have disengaged from school or face systemic barriers. Early intervention isn’t optional; it’s essential.
What Works: Lessons from Our Pilot Projects
Reboot Plus targets marginalized youth (aged 17–24) who are not on track to complete high school and lack a post-secondary plan. Over 16 weeks, participants explore their interests, values, and skills, conduct informational interviews with professionals, and develop personalized education and career plans.
- A total of 336 youth participated in the Reboot Plus program as of September 2025.
- Reported benefits: increased confidence, clearer career goals, stronger sense of agency (Future Skills Centre, State of Skills Report).
“This program helped me gain confidence that I could do what I wanted and that I wasn’t alone.” – a program participant shared their experience in a blog feature.
Employer engagement was equally encouraging:
- 87% of employers support youth entering the workplace
- 86% said they’d introduce youth to colleagues
“I would highly recommend the Reboot Plus program to youth as it provides real-world career insight.” – an employer shares their experience in a blog feature.
Holistic Supports and Scalable Pathways: What Youth Programs Teach Us
Programs like Reboot Plus show that success for marginalized youth doesn’t hinge only on messaging or simplified processes, it requires wraparound supports, integrated pathways, and scalable models that meet diverse needs across Canada.
- Wraparound supports matter: Youth often face barriers beyond academics, including mental health, housing, and transportation.
- Integrated approaches work best: The federal Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) emphasizes combining skills training, work experience, and mentorship with social supports.
- Scaling to new settings is possible: The Reboot Plus Expansion results showed measurable gains in self-efficacy (56%) and job clarity (66%), demonstrating that the program can strengthen confidence and career direction when adapted to different contexts.
- Technology and personalization enhance access: The Future Skills Centre State of Skills Report highlights that digital tools offering localized labour market information, combined with in-person guidance, help youth make informed decisions. However, technology alone is insufficient; individualized support and experiential learning remain instrumental.
- Employer engagement strengthens inclusion perceptions: In the Reboot Plus Expansion, employers reported greater awareness of marginalized youth as a valuable talent pool. These findings show how structured engagement can shift employer perceptions, demonstrating that mentorship and inclusive workplace practices foster stronger long-term labour market attachment.
Why Early Career Guidance Matters
With youth employment and underemployment remaining unstable, helping young people navigate school, training, and career options early can set a foundation for future success. Early guidance supports include:
- Well-being and mental health: Reduced uncertainty, increased hope and purpose; feeling supported can mitigate stress associated with joblessness or disengagement.
- Greater social equity: Tailored supports benefit youth from marginalized or under-represented backgrounds most.
- Stronger labour market outcomes: Staying connected to education or training reduces NEET rates and strengthens Canada’s workforce.
Experts from the federal YESS warn that NEET youth face heightened risks of “social and economic exclusion.” Early supports can change that trajectory.
A More Supportive Future for Canadian Youth
Our experiences with Reboot Plus show that when we design programs with empathy, flexibility, and accessibility they can transform youth trajectories. Small changes in messaging, process, and employer engagement create lasting impact.
To scale this success, Canada must recognize youth as diverse, with non-linear paths, and respond with tailored supports. Simplifying access to career guidance and fostering employer openness to diverse talent are among the most effective levers we have.
Join us in building stronger pathways for Canadian youth. Connect with us to learn how you can support or partner with Reboot Plus.
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.