For many English-speaking youth in Québec, the transition from education to employment remains fraught with obstacles. 

Even with high educational attainment, bilingualism, and a clear dedication to joining the workforce, many young people still encounter significant barriers. These barriers include limited access to career guidance, French-language training, and professional networks. Additionally, the pressure of navigating Québec’s competitive job market combined with demanding hiring practices can lead to increased professional anxiety; further dampening the confidence of English-speaking youth and restricting their career opportunities.

These findings from an upcoming report by PERT and Youth for Youth Québec (Y4Y Québec) were the focus of our June 17 webinar exploring the labour market experiences of English-speaking youth across the province. As a potentially powerful engine for Québec’s economy, English-speaking Quebecers aged 15 to 34 face growing economic pressures and linguistic uncertainty at a time when their participation in the labour market has seldom been more important.

The Provincial Employment Roundtable (PERT) recently hosted a webinar on youth employment in Québec in collaboration with Y4Y Québec. The webinar brought together community organizations, regional partners, researchers, and policymakers to examine the findings of a new report on youth employment, French-language confidence, mental health, and regional workforce retention. The event also included a lively discussion and Q&A session. Each highlighted the need for collaborative solutions across multiple sectors to ensure young people feel supported both professionally and personally as they navigate their careers.

The report’s recommendations deliver actionable steps to improve workforce integration for English-speaking youth. They focus on modernizing career guidance to reduce anxiety, providing practical French-language training, such as mentorships, to build confidence and create essential bridges to real-world job experience. 

Access the Webinar & Report

You can watch the full recording of the webinar, which includes a presentation of findings, a panel discussion, and a Q&A session.

The full report will be released in the coming weeks. Subscribe to our newsletter to get these insights directly in your inbox, and stay tuned to our channels for the official publication launch.

• Watch the full webinar recording