For most Canadian teens, there’s a “catch-22” to finding a first job:
1. You can’t get a job without experience.
2. You can’t get experience without a job.
This is at the crux of the global youth unemployment crises.
In Canada, youth unemployment rates reached 13.3 per cent in October 2015. In fact, according to a Youth Employment Survey by Nestlé Canada, it was revealed that while youth unemployment is a prevalent issue across Canada, only 25 per cent of Canadians say their place of employment offers intern/apprenticeship programs to help youth gain entry-level experience.
So, how can youths help your workforce? Think about it. Given today’s technologically savvy environment, Canadians agree that the strongest skills and qualities that this demographic brings to the table are social media expertise (68 per cent) and IT knowledge (65 per cent). A strong percentage also recognize this group provides added value through their fresh perspective (58 per cent) and bridge the gap by tapping into today’s trends (55 per cent).
Therefore, we know that youths are integral to staying innovative and ahead of the curve. And, I’m happy to share that Nestlé Canada recently announced the launch of its Youth Initiative, a multifaceted program designed to provide tangible training opportunities and experiences for more than 5,000 young adults over the next three years.
Nestlé’s Youth Initiative will offer young Canadian youths the opportunity to develop their professional skills, increase their employability and expand their network. The value of this type of tangible work experience and hands-on training opportunity is unequivocal to Canadians, with nearly all (96 per cent) in agreement that internships and apprenticeship programs are valuable tools that help youth gain practical and valuable experience they can use to enter the workforce.
The initiative consists of four pillars:
1. Get Skilled – Nestlé is committed to increasing internships by 25 per cent over three years across all Nestlé in Canada businesses.
2. Get Hired – By 2017, Nestlé will increase new grad hires by five per cent across all Nestlé in Canada businesses through formalized training programs.
3. Get Support – Nestlé is providing ‘ready to work activities’ including networking events, career counselling, information sessions and recruitment workshops at universities and colleges.
4. Get More Opportunities – Nestlé is reaching out to partners to encourage them to open their doors to create opportunities for young adults across Canada.
It’s refreshing to see a company go over and above to develop and nurture our Canadian youths. After all, they are the CEOs of the future. Information about internships and opportunities for 2016 are now available at www.nestlejobs.ca.
This post was sponsored by Nestle Canada. The opinions on this blog, as always, are my own.
I had no idea Nestle had such an initiative for youth and its clearly needed. I will have to look into this and share it with youth I know.Any assistance for youth in navigating the working world is a positive.
. You can’t get a job without experience.
2. You can’t get experience without a job.
Sorry i wanted to say i hear this all the time,how can young people get experience if no one gives them a chance
It’s great that some companies, like Nestle, are taking initiative to help the youths
Internships are such a great idea! When I was a new grad I volunteered with the company I wanted to work for and gained priceless experience in my field!
I’ve never understood the stupidity of you can’t get a job without experience but no one wants to give a break so they can get experience. At least in a lot of places they offer co op or placement so you get some experience before graduating but for a lot of jobs they simply don’t get that option which is again stupidity.