With the COVID-19 pandemic beginning to subside, it is time to take stock. It’s clear that the employment situation is particularly difficult for certain population groups, particularly women and young people.
Inequitable Impact
The pandemic has had a greater impact on these groups than on the rest of the population. This is the finding of a survey on the impact of COVID-19 (in French only) on the career paths of Quebecers, published in June by AXTRA, the Alliance of Employment Counselling Centres. It is also the conclusion of a new Statistics Canada report released in May.
The survey conducted by AXTRA reveals that 35% of respondents have considered or made a job or career change because of COVID-19.
22% of respondents indicated that they had been forced to make career decisions as a result of the pandemic, with this figure rising to 51% for 18 to 24-year-olds.
According to Statistics Canada, women suffered 53.7% of the job losses across the country from March 2020 to February 2021. Despite the fact that they have borne the brunt of the job losses, they are not particularly impacted by the jobs prioritized in the announced economic recovery. Since many of them hold part-time jobs, the financial assistance offered by the federal and provincial governments – while allowing them to maintain the well-being of their families – will delay their return to work.
Lack of Awareness of Available Services
The survey conducted by AXTRA also highlights the lack of knowledge of the tools and services available to job seekers. In fact, despite the existence of employment counselling centres throughout the region, only 50% of the respondents say they know about them. A quarter of them did not consider these services at the time of their search.
“These figures confirm the unequal effect of the crisis on different age and population groups. While some have been forced to change their fields of work because of the health measures, others have had to rethink their priorities because of the pandemic. Whatever the situation, it is wise to plan the next steps with the support of professionals to avoid making hasty decisions that could be quickly regretted.”
Valérie Roy, Executive Director of AXTRA.
The YWCA Montreal is part of a large network of Employment Counselling Centres. Our services are intended for all women seeking employment on the Island of Montreal. We offer a variety of programs, adapted to the individual needs of each woman: Counselling, support following a temporary job hiatus, training, entrepreneurship and workplace integration.
Learning to Bounce Back
Thinking about your career path can be beneficial both at the beginning of your career and after you have acquired some experience. At this stage, personalized support is an additional asset to ensure you realize your objectives.
The YWCA Montreal is here for all those who want to improve their chances for success. In addition to practical knowledge on how to write a resume and prepare for job interviews, our team helps motivate each participant in their job search which can sometimes be complex. Our guidance counsellors can also help them develop their long or short-term career plans.
Take the time to think about your skills, needs and desires. Allow yourself to envision a career that reflects who you are and will lead to long-term success. Bounce back!
Contact us today!
Do you want to return to the workforce? Are you looking for a job that meets your expectations? Are you planning another professional challenge?
We have the support you need!
Call us at 514 866-9941, extension 416 or visit our employability page.