How Upcut Provides Real Answers to Canada’s Youth Unemployment Crisis

A recent Reuters report reveals that Canada’s youth unemployment rate—ages 15 to 24—has soared to 14.6%, marking its highest level since 2010 (excluding the pandemic years), while their employment rate has fallen to 53.6%, the lowest since 1998. These figures underscore a troubling reality: young Canadians are finding it harder than ever to find meaningful, lasting work.

Why Youth Unemployment Matters—and Why It’s Growing

Persistent Structural Barriers: Despite an overall job market rebound, young workers disproportionately bear the brunt of economic shifts, especially in industries like retail, hospitality, and agriculture. These sectors are highly sensitive to external pressures such as tariffs or automation.

Lack of Access to Early Credentials: Many youth face a ‘catch-22’—they need experience to get hired, but need to be hired to gain experience.

High Turnover and Seasonal Demand: Especially in agriculture, roles are often seasonal, temporary, and fast-paced, making traditional hiring systems slow and inefficient.

Enter Upcut: Video-First, Skills-First Recruitment—Perfect for Youth, Ideal for High-Churn Sectors

Upcut transcends traditional application methods with:

Authentic Video Profiles & Proof-of-Work

Candidates create short video clips showcasing their work ethic—or even actual work examples. This enables employers to assess real skills and fit quickly—especially vital when turnover is high or roles need filled immediately.

Effective for Youth & Local Talent

Many young job-seekers lack polished resumes or hiring references. Video allows them to present their enthusiasm, reliability, and authenticity—qualities not easily captured on paper.

Education Meets Introduction

Upcut doubles as a training tool—launching quick tutorials on safety, best practices, or onboarding tips directly within the platform. This combination of recruitment and micro-education accelerates onboarding and improves retention.

Bridging Employers and Communities

Upcut’s platform helps farmers connect with local youth—building sustainable hiring pipelines rather than relying on external or transient labor sources.

Why This Matters—Backed by the Data

With youth unemployment at 14.6%, and employment rates dipping below 54%, it’s clear that traditional hiring channels are failing young workers. Upcut disrupts this by:

Speeding Up Hire-Turnover Cycles: Employers in agriculture can fill roles in days, not weeks.

Empowering Youth: Even those without formal resumes can shine using real-world demonstrations.

Improving Retention via Micro-Learning: Embedding education with hiring gives workers the skills to stay on.

Call to Action

If you're in agriculture—or oversee youth employment programs—Upcut offers more than a hiring tool. It’s a strategic advantage. Let’s empower Canada’s next generation with the skills they need and connect them to employers who need them now.

Resources:

• Reuters