Research that
drives action
Evidence to inspire, guide, and strengthen Opportunity Youth hiring.
Every bold hiring decision starts with a leader asking: What does the data say?
This page highlights research that makes the business and social case for hiring Opportunity Youth (OY) – young adults aged 18–29 who face barriers to employment, such as limited experience, discrimination, housing instability, or newcomer status. With the right support, they bring loyalty, creativity, and resilience to your team. From case studies to cost-benefit analyses, these reports show that inclusive hiring isn’t just ethical – it’s strategic.
Explore original CYEI research and curated reports on:
Each card links to a summary or full report – ready to support your next step.
- The business case for inclusive hiring
- Barriers OY face and how to remove them
- What works in recruitment, onboarding, and retention
- The economic and social impact of youth employment
Explore the research
Calgary Youth Employment Initiative (CYEI)
Untapped Talent: Exploring the Benefits of Opportunity Youth for Employers
This guide explores benefits associated with tapping into this under-utilized population; it outlines several next steps for employers interested in engaging Opportunity Youth.
SHRM Foundation
From Social Good to Strategic Talent Advantage: The Business Case for Hiring Opportunity Youth
A well-researched report that sets out the case for hiring Opportunity Youth.
U.S Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Centre for Education and Workforce
Making Youth Employment Work: Essential Elements for a Successful Strategy
This report shares an extensive business case for hiring Opportunity Youth.
Calgary Youth Employment Initiative (CYEI)
Bridging the Gap: A guide to supporting employers to hire and retain opportunity youth
This guide, designed for youth-serving organizations as they build collaborative relationships with employers, offers insights that employers may also find helpful.
Queen’s University, Faculty of Education
Marginalized Youth and Their Journey to Work: A Review of the Literature
This 2023 literature review considers research exploring the barriers to work for marginalized youth who have experienced employment challenges.
PolicyWise for Children and Families
Improving Opportunity Youth Employment in Alberta: Strategic Opportunities for Action
This report presents the challenges and offers recommendations for policy-makers, youth-serving agencies, funders, and employers.
Calgary Youth Employment Initiative (CYEI)
Customized Hiring Events, A Guide to Engaging Opportunity Youth
Working in collaboration with the City of Calgary Youth Employment Centre (YEC), Starbucks ran customized hiring events for Opportunity Youth in Alberta for more than three years. This guide describes what they learned about how to structure and adapt hiring processes in ways that meet the needs of both employers and Opportunity Youth.
Forbes Magazine
4 Tips to Recruit, Hire and Retain Opportunity Youth
This 2019 article shares concise tips to recruit, hire and retain opportunity youth.
Canada Youth Jobs Bank
How to Hire Young Canadians from Vulnerable Youth Communities
This December 2024 blog explores how to effectively hire young Canadians from vulnerable communities and considers why it is a rewarding investment for employers.
National Youth Employment Coalition
Deeper Understanding of Employer Partnerships
A comprehensive research report on best practices to support partnerships; qualitative research from focus groups with employers, youth-serving agencies and youth.
Looking for guides instead?
If you’re ready to more intentionally recruit and develop young people who otherwise might struggle to find their first opportunity, the strategies and guides in this toolkit will help.
