A pathway to hope in a tough job market
When Liam* moved to Toronto for a university program in urban planning, he felt the same excitement for the future as any first-year student.
But as he progressed through his program and began trying to secure an internship, he was dismayed to find that, even after graduating, no one was hiring.
“I thought Toronto would be a cornucopia of all sorts of planning jobs, but all I landed were volunteer roles. I joined a lot of community groups to keep building my resumé. I wasn’t getting student loans anymore, and Toronto isn’t cheap. I was in a huge amount of debt without a job.”
Liam began selling his belongings so he could use those funds to cover his rent.
Daily, he applied to a dozen jobs, everywhere he could think of — the pharmacy, the library, restaurants — anything.
“I kept expecting to find a job,” he says, “but after this went on for three years, I became deeply depressed.”
One of the groups Liam joined was Regent Park’s Employment and Economic Working Group. In response to rising unemployment, the group partnered with YSM to apply for a grant to run a pilot Workforce Integration Program, connecting job seekers with employment service providers in the community. With the support of YSM’s trusteeship and leadership, the project fosters collaboration among diverse employment-sector partners and supports the development of an inclusive employment pathway.
When a friend told Liam he was eligible for the program, he immediately applied.
Within days, Liam was selected to participate and, as part of the program, he was connected with YSM’s Integrated Employment Services Program and the retailer Zara, a YSM employer partner. When Zara invited Liam to interview for a sales position, he first met with a YSM Employment Counsellor for interview training.
A few days later, Liam got the job.
“Everything happened over the course of maybe a week and a half!” Liam says. “When Zara offered me the job, it was an absolute lifesaver.”
For the first time in years, Liam felt himself breathe easier. The job provided not only income to live, but also gave Liam the schedule and routine he’d lost while he was unemployed. He quickly built new friendships at work and valued feeling part of a team.
Liam is now helping shape the Workforce Integration Program’s future for others struggling in the current employment climate, explaining, “We’re not just leaving everyone to cope on their own in really difficult conditions.”
*Name and image have been changed to protect the community member’s privacy.