April 30, 2015
Toronto employers have made major commitments to hire youth from the Partnership to Advance Youth Employment (PAYE) program following Mayor Tory’s challenge to employers to hire 10 per cent of their employees through PAYE. Mayor Tory visited the second PAYE interview event of 2015 today and provided an update on the City’s progress in tackling youth unemployment.
“Every employer at this event has pledged their commitment to PAYE and to tackle youth unemployment. There’s still a lot of work to be done, and we need to continue to tap into our business networks to encourage like-minded employer leaders to give youth access to this vital first step,” said Mayor Tory. “PAYE has proven to be successful – it has a track record we can be proud of and is the key to building a fair and prosperous city.”
CIBC, TD Canada Trust, Bank of Montreal, RBC and Tridel interviewed youth for positions including mortgage trainee, wealth management sales assistant, investment advisor assistant, and customer care administrator. They’re joining other leading Toronto employers, including the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) and Teleperformance, who are offering hundreds of youth access to opportunities where they can maximize their skills and potential. The City of Toronto has also hired 21 summer receptionists through PAYE since January.
This year, 760 youth have participated in learning, networking and interview events, as well as one-on-one coaching and mentoring sessions. To date, 74 employers have opened up more than 400 opportunities, and 228 youth have been hired through PAYE.
Starbucks Canada was the first employer to commit to hiring 10 per cent of its new hires through the PAYE program. Over the next 12 months, Starbucks will fill over 150 barista roles and work placement training opportunities with unemployed youth living in Toronto’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas. Starbucks will guarantee these candidates a minimum of 20 hours of work per week to ensure that they are eligible for Starbucks’ full suite of benefits.
The City’s PAYE program has successfully connected hundreds of youth aged 18 to 29 from diverse neighbourhoods to job opportunities. At PAYE, unemployed youth are provided with individual guidance and coaching, and are connected to City and community services and supports. Qualified candidates are screened and matched to employment opportunities and connect face-to-face with hiring employers.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contacts:
Keerthana Kamalavasan, Office of the Mayor, 647-460-7507, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Anna McGrath, Toronto Employment & Social Services, 416-392-9052, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
