Mayor and Starbucks Serve Up Jobs For Ottawa Youth

Photos by Maria Alejandra

Starbucks Canada, in partnership with the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa, the City of Ottawa Employment Ontario Centre, the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development and the provincial government, have announced that they are committing 10 per cent of its store hires to Opportunity Youth.

Mayor Jim Watson was on hand yesterday at the Glebe loction in support of the program for city youth as well as to serve up a couple of lattes.

Young people ages 16-29 that are either not working, in education or training, and face barriers to employment are eligible to participate in the program.Youth Services Bureau has allied with Starbucks to reverse that trend. The task my be hard but is a rewarding one since it is a “multi-service agency that provides services in French and English in employment, health and housing, mental health, youth engagement and youth justice. We work in partnership to develop, deliver and advocate for better conditions, services, and opportunities for youth and families.” 

Starbucks is committed to providing meaningful employment and work experience, bringing to disconnected youth in Ottawa new options in finding pathways to opportunity and better future. Though new to Ottawa, the company has offered this across Canada for some time. Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are some cities that have benefited from this program. 

Along with providing work to youth, the program has other benefits as it might reduce depression, drug addiction, and crime in the city while representing a vital resource of talent that contributes to the success of the company. Youth unemployment requires immediate attention, and Starbucks is taking real action to show that this generation has equal opportunities to acquire skills to face the competitive workplace.

Once these young people get a job at Starbucks, they have a follow-up or feedback report with the early support they need to be successful. The organization is committed to Canada’s economic and social future since its goal is to have a positive impact creating Opportunity Youth. This is also the reason why they are looking for young entrepreneurs, positive and active, with desires to have a better future for them and Canada.

Through the work placement program, the company provides the skills and work experience these youth need to become gainfully employed, creating opportunities, education, innovation, and creativity as main strengths for their personal and professional future. What is more, the new young Starbucks employees will have excellent benefits, future savings along with career and personal support services.