windsor-essex is canada's youth unemployment capital — but new plan hopes to change that
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mikal fakhreddin, project coordinator and research analyst with workforce windsoressex speaks during a press conference on wednesday, july 30, 2025 regarding the organization's youth employment work plan.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
nearly one in five youths in windsor-essex looking for jobs is unemployed, but a local agency hopes a new program can help trim that figure.
already the nation’s unemployment capital, the windsor area also boasts the highest youth unemployment rate (18.2 per cent) in canada, according to the latest statistics canada report covering 2024.
the bleak local figures, however, coincide with the launch of a new jobs portal tailored to the 15- to 24-year-old age segment which aims to reduce that number.
the portal went live wednesday on the workforce windsoressex website and promises all the resources young people will need to be successful in their job hunt.
“the portal is a one-stop shop for youth-focused employment resources as well as community resources, which includes mental health, housing, health and safety,” said mikal fakhreddin, workforce windsoressex’s project coordinator and research analyst.
“we want one location where youth can find all the resources they’re looking for when it comes to employment and stability.
“our goal is to ease the exploration process. we want youth to find the resources they’re looking for as easily as possible. it’s even design-tailored to youth.”
the portal is the first step of the youth employment work plan, the product of a two-year workforce windsoressex study in consultation with youth and community groups. the plan is backed by $189,000 in provincial funding from the ontario trillium foundation.
the local unemployment rate for youth (15-24 years of age) in june was 17 per cent compared to the area’s overall jobless rate of 11.2 per cent, according to statscan.
that translates to 7,400 unemployed youths. the national youth unemployment rate is currently 14.20 per cent, while provincially it’s 13.5 per cent.
the provincial rate is the highest it’s been since september 2014, excluding the pandemic years.
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among those aged 15 to 24 locally, the highest local unemployment rates are for chinese men and black women (both 30 per cent) and arab women (29 per cent). there’s also a gender gap, with 21.9 per cent of male youths unable to find employment compared to about 11.8 per cent for females.
“the youth rate is generally higher than for adults,” fakhreddin said.
“over the past decade, the rate for 15- to 24- (year-olds) has been 2.4 times higher than for 25 and up.”
fakhreddin said contributing factors to youth unemployment are the lack of knowledge about the local jobs in demand, salary structure and the credentials required. she added transportation, housing, self-confidence and soft skills in selling themselves to employers are also areas young workers admit they struggle with.
fakhreddin said young people are also currently competing with more workers who are overqualified for the entry-level jobs they’re seeking.
daniella mojolaoluwa adekoya, a member of the youth advisory committee with workforce windsoressex speaks during a press conference on wednesday, july 30, 2025 regarding the organization’s youth employment work plan.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
“i think the biggest barrier young people face is the lack of confidence,” said recently graduated assumption high school student daniella adekoya, who was part of the 26-member youth advisory committee participating in crafting the plan.
“they feel they’re not ready enough or like they don’t have the experience to go through it.
“being able to speak about employment and the barriers you face in the community was really empowering. i feel being a voice changes how other people see you.”
the portal is designed to reduce the clutter of job searches by eliminating positions that aren’t realistic for young workers.
“we have pre-applied filters,” fakhreddin said. “they can click on pre-filtered job board and see what jobs they can apply for as young workers.
“there’s usually 50 to 80 jobs they can apply for when it comes to no post-secondary education or prior work experience.”
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the strategy also includes other steps that will be taken this year to support young job seekers, including presentations in schools.
there will be a creation of an electronic device donation program.
used and donated computers, phones and other electronic gear will help those without such digital tools to connect to the resources required in the hunt for jobs.
a skills assessment tool and a youth-friendly advertising guidebook on the programs available are also planned.
other community recommendations include: youth job seekers clubs, employer/educator networking events, youth bus pass and centralized support services for health/housing.
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