Each year, more than 16,000 youth are employed across the City system. Today, Mayor Olivia Chow spotlighted the City of Toronto’s commitment to strengthening youth development and employment readiness, kicking off with expanded opportunities in parks and recreation.
The City’s Building Skills Through Recreation is an existing program that provides free employment readiness, such as training and certifications, designed for youth aged 15 to 24. The City is doubling the program’s capacity, enabling up to 2,000 youth to participate in 2026. The expanded program will place a strong focus on serving equity-deserving communities and underserved neighbourhoods.
Expanding job skills and certifications for youth
The City will facilitate more than 100 certification courses and 60 local hiring events in 2026, ensuring that youth have access to certification, training and employment opportunities. Every year, the City establishes more pathways to youth employment by providing free certifications, training and placements in areas such as aquatic leadership, sports literacy and camp leadership employment.
The City continues to remove barriers by providing free access to required credentials for youth first aid, lifeguarding and coaching certifications. The City stays connected with youth who complete their certifications through the program and keeps them on track to secure jobs at both the City and with other organizations.
A strategy to help local youth find jobs
A new staff report, “Reducing Barriers to Youth Employment,” details how the City is proposing five key actions to improve youth employment while recognizing the unique challenges Indigenous, Black, newcomer and 2SLGBTQ+ youth face in entering the labour market.
The actions include addressing barriers to youth hiring by making posts more transparent, accessible and inclusive, modernizing the City’s recruitment system, strengthening and expanding training opportunities, more youth partnerships and influence and leveraging major City events.
The staff report will be presented to the Economic and Community Development Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 2 and is available on the City’s website.
Quotes:
“Too many young people are struggling to find work, and this needs to change. That’s why we are doubling the City’s Building Skills Through Recreation program to support up to 2,000 youth in 2026. By expanding free training, certifications and local hiring opportunities, we’re making it easier for young people to get their first job and stay employed. We are making sure Toronto is a caring city that delivers for you.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“By reducing barriers to youth employment by addressing hiring barriers, modernizing recruitment systems and more, we’re better supporting youth across the city, particularly equity-deserving youth, those in Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and underserved communities. I’m excited to see youth in better positions to land the job opportunities they deserve.”
– Councillor Nick Mantas (Scarborough-Agincourt)
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