Kickstarting careers for young Albertans

A new youth hiring incentive is launching to help young Albertans get experience, build confidence and gain skills to launch rewarding careers. (Pexels Photo)

A new youth hiring incentive is launching to help young Albertans get experience, build confidence and gain skills to launch rewarding careers.

Alberta’s government is providing $8 million for the new Alberta Youth Employment Incentive, which will provide grants to employers to offset costs associated with hiring, training and employing youth from age 15-24. The initiative is expected to support around 1,000 businesses to hire 2,500 young Albertans.

Entering the workforce is a vital first step toward building a strong, lifelong career. Youth unemployment is a challenge across Canada, and with a youth unemployment rate of 17 per cent, Alberta especially feels the impact as the result of rapid population growth through international immigration and the highest interprovincial migration of any other province. Young Albertans deserve access to jobs that help them learn, grow and contribute.

“Young Albertans deserve to be first in line for the kinds of jobs that open doors and build confidence. The Alberta Youth Employment Incentive gives employers a reason to take a chance on youth and help them gain the experience that leads to lifelong careers. This is how we prepare the next generation to succeed in every sector and build a stronger Alberta for tomorrow.”

Danielle Smith, Premier

“Investing in young Albertans is instrumental to building a stronger future for everyone. The Alberta Youth Employment Incentive will not only open opportunities for youth, but also support fresh, young talent entering the province’s business and professional marketplace. Our goal is to ensure all Albertans, including youth, have the training, skills and support they need to thrive and be active contributors in Alberta’s workforce.”

Joseph Schow, Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration

Beginning in October 2025, employers will be eligible for one of two incentive amounts. Those who hire 1-2 young workers for a combined total of at least 400 hours, will be eligible to receive $4,000. Employers who hire 3-5 young workers with a combined total of at least 750 hours, will be eligible to receive $7,500. Through this initiative, Alberta’s government is helping pay $10 of the hourly wage for young workers.

The Alberta Youth Employment Incentive will be managed by CAREERS – a long-standing not-for-profit organization that helps young people connect with employment. CAREERS will be responsible for delivering grants, determining eligibility and ensuring employers have the information they need if questions arise regarding the initiative. Once the incentive is available, applications by employers will be made through the CAREERS website.

“For over 27 years, CAREERS has seen the power of connecting youth with employers to spark meaningful careers. This new incentive is a game-changer – it makes it easier for businesses to hire young people, helps reduce unemployment and builds the skilled workforce Alberta needs for the future.”

Stefan Rutkowski, president and chief executive officer, CAREERS

In addition to the grant funding, Alberta’s government is helping employers build confidence in young workers by developing a digital badge for youth who have worked a minimum of 200 hours and pass a skills-verified employer assessment. This badge can be highlighted on resumes, helping businesses know they are hiring a young person who has demonstrated and developed meaningful skills in a workplace.

“Helping youth and young adults enter the workforce is an important first step in their careers. With this new hiring incentive, we are excited that more young Albertans, including many of our students, will start gaining the experience they need for a successful future.”

Pedro Almeida, president, University of Alberta Students’ Union

The Alberta youth hiring incentive builds on the continued work to support a strong workforce in Alberta, which was set in motion with the recently announced Alberta Jobs Strategy. By empowering employers to hire youth, Alberta is building a stronger, more resilient workforce and economy for the future.

Quick facts

• CAREERS is an industry-led public/private not-for-profit foundation established in 1997.
• In August 2025, the youth unemployment rate for Alberta was 17 per cent.

• Canada’s youth unemployment rate was 14.5 per cent.
• Provinces facing the next highest youth unemployment rates are New Brunswick (16.9 per cent) and Ontario (16.5 per cent).
  • Between 2020 and 2024, the number of temporary foreign workers in Alberta grew by nearly 278 per cent, with most recent data showing Alberta has more than 145,000 temporary foreign workers as of December 31, 2024.