Alberta’s government says it is pushing back against youth unemployment in the province by launching a new initiative to get more than 2,000 young Albertans hired.

At a press conference Thursday morning, Alberta’s premier and minister of jobs introduced a new program which will provide $8 million in grants to help businesses hire youths between the ages of 15 and 24.

Starting in October, employers will be eligible to receive one of two incentive amounts. They can receive $4,000 if they hire one or two young workers for a combined total of at least 400 hours, said Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Minister Joseph Schow.

He also said employers who hire three to five youth employees for a combined total of at least 750 hours will be eligible to receive $7,500.

Schow said he expects this initiative — called the Alberta Youth Employment Incentive — to help 1,000 businesses hire 2,500 youths in the province. 

The provincial government will also be developing a digital badge for youths who have worked at least 200 hours and passed a skills verified employer assessment, according to Schow.

He said this digital badge can be highlighted on resumes and on profiles for online platforms like LinkedIn to give businesses a quick reference to identify a young person who has workplace experience. 

Premier Danielle Smith said the province is offering this incentive in partnership with CAREERS, a non-profit organization that helps young people connect with employment.

CAREERS will be responsible for delivering grants and determining eligibility. 

Alberta’s youth unemployment

Alberta’s youth unemployment rate has risen more than three per cent since August last year, according to data from Alberta’s economic dashboard. The unemployment rate for Albertans aged 15 to 24 years now sits at 17 per cent.

Recent Statistics Canada data shows Alberta has the highest unemployment rate for students between the ages of 15 and 24, with an unemployment rate sitting at 21 per cent for this demographic.

WATCH | Youth unemployment rising in Alberta: 

Why youth unemployment is surging in Canada and Alberta

Youth unemployment in Canada was the highest it’s been in years at 14.5 per cent in August. Alberta is experiencing a similar trajectory. Travis McEwan looks at why that is and how some job seekers are coping with it.

The agency’s data also shows that the overall Canadian youth unemployment rate is at 14.5 per cent, which it said is the third highest it has been since 2010 — only the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 were higher.

The unemployment rate for returning students aged 15 to 24 across Canada now sits at 17.9 per cent, which — except for the pandemic year of 2020 — is the highest that rate has been since 2009, according to Statistics Canada.

In a news release summarizing the new Alberta Youth Employment Incentive, the provincial government said Alberta is especially feeling the impact of youth unemployment due to rapid population growth through international and interprovincial migration.

Statistics Canada said Alberta currently has the second highest overall unemployment rate out of all Canadian provinces at 8.4 per cent.

Â