In a period of heightened concern over Canada’s youth unemployment, which is currently hovering near 15 per cent and represents one of the highest rates in recent years, Humber’s Community Outreach and Workforce Development (COWD) department is responding with purpose. Our recent Student Hiring Event at the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation brought together more than 600 student jobseekers and 12 prominent employers, including Costco, Achev, EZ Care Nursing, Sentient HR, and others. The event marked a strategic effort by Humber and COWD to support young job seekers during a critical time.

In the face of these challenges, the event offered more than just opportunity. It delivered real impact. Employers represented a wide range of sectors, including business, health care, trades, and administration, offering students access to meaningful and relevant employment options. Many attendees arrived well-prepared, and several left with interviews already lined up.

From a workforce development perspective, the event achieved several key outcomes. For students, it created immediate connections with hiring managers and opened doors to job leads. For employers, it offered direct access to a pool of skilled and motivated local candidates, reducing recruitment time and costs. For the broader community, it strengthened the local economy by matching youth with available roles and building the region’s talent pipeline.

This success was made possible thanks to the collaboration of Humber’s faculties, who played a key role in promoting the event to students. We also extend our appreciation to the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation for providing the venue and to Advising and Career Services for their support with logistics and outreach.

COWD’s Student Hiring Event helped fill job roles, bridged critical experience gaps, and demonstrated how targeted, community-based engagement can support youth in making the transition from education to employment.