‘No one ever calls them back’: University students in N.S. struggling to find summer jobs
As the summer season kicks off, university students in Nova Scotia are facing a tough job market, leading to frustration among many. Recent national statistics for the under-24 age group highlight the challenges they are encountering.
According to a recent report by Statistics Canada for June, the national unemployment rate for returning students peaked at 20.1 per cent in May, the highest since 1999 apart from during the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation is even more dire for young men, with an unemployment rate of 22.1 per cent.
Alexina St. Pierre-Farrow, chair of the Canadian Federation of Students in Nova Scotia, spoke to CBC Radio’s Information Morning Nova Scotia about the grim reality students are facing. She mentioned that many students are struggling to secure employment, despite applying to numerous jobs without receiving any callbacks.
One of the concerns raised by students is the role of artificial intelligence in the hiring process. St. Pierre-Farrow pointed out that AI algorithms could introduce biases that discriminate against applicants based on factors like their last name or gaps in their work history. This could be a significant barrier for students trying to enter the workforce.
Furthermore, when students do manage to find jobs, they are often in fields unrelated to their studies, offering little career progression opportunities. Low wages are also a pressing issue for students in Nova Scotia. While the minimum wage is set to increase to $16.50 in October, it still falls short of the estimated living wage of $25 per hour calculated by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
St. Pierre-Farrow highlighted the additional financial burden placed on students due to the province’s high tuition rates and challenging housing market. This leaves students grappling with tough decisions about how to allocate their limited resources between essential expenses like bills, groceries, tuition fees, and avoiding debt.
The combination of low wages, high tuition costs, and housing challenges creates a significant barrier for students in Nova Scotia, making it difficult for them to pursue their academic and career goals. As the summer progresses, it is crucial for policymakers and employers to address these issues and provide support for students navigating the job market.
