The Times Colonist recently reported that the unemployment rate in Greater Victoria had fallen from 5.4 per cent to 5.2 per cent in March. Undoubtedly, this is a positive development, and yes, it’s nice to know.
But is it an improvement to be celebrated? I hardly think so.
The fact is, young people have struggled to find stable and meaningful full-time work in Victoria for a long time, especially university students and recent graduates.
In truth, the city has been mired in a years-long brain drain. Students from all types of disciplines, whether it be science, business, law, arts or the humanities, have had to leave one of the most beautiful cities in the world because they just couldn’t afford to stay.
But from news articles and statistics, you wouldn’t know that such a trend was taking place. Why?
The biggest reason is the inherent nature of Victoria’s economy; namely, that a large part of it depends on seasonal work. As we move closer to the summer months and employers begin to prepare for the influx of tourists aboard cruise ships, they start to hire more and more, until Victoria’s economy is hot with business and employment opportunities.
While the robust employment during the summer is all well and good, what happens come the fall?
Wind, rain and empty ports.
But let’s say that this is OK, especially for students, because summertime is when they need work the most. During the school year, they’re in classes and many who can afford it opt not to work during this time.
How about graduates, though? Where should they turn? Where do they turn?
Elsewhere. Other parts of Canada where they can find work in their respective fields and stable employment. Other countries where there’s more opportunity to become financially independent.
The good news is that, like all trends, this one can be reversed.
So what can be done about this? A few things come to mind:
• The B.C. government should slowly begin to phase out its hiring freeze and prioritize the hiring of students and recent graduates. Why? Because Victoria is and always will be a government city.
• The federal government needs to redesign its entire student-recruitment program so its marketing efforts are actually seen on campus and students are aware of the opportunities to enrol in its programs — especially those that are local. Why? The federal government is Canada’s largest employer, and therefore has a role to play in creating work for students in every part of the country.
• Finally, students themselves need to start taking action; this means more networking, improving their workplace skills and applying for as many jobs as they can. Why? Because ultimately, students are the masters of their own destiny.
Just because this is currently a problem doesn’t mean it needs to remain one. Victoria is the jewel in the gold ring that is British Columbia, and to keep shining it needs one of its greatest assets — its young citizens — to come to work and to stay there.
Justin Bedi is a born-and-raised Victorian who graduated from the University of Victoria in 2013. He is currently a master of international trade candidate at the University of Saskatchewan.
