The winners of the Canada’s Top Employers for Young People competition were announced this morning. First published in 2002, the competition is organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. This designation recognizes the employers that offer the country’s best benefits for younger workers, and the employers who made the list are recognized as Canada’s leaders in attracting and retaining younger employees to their organizations.
This year’s list includes 80 employers chosen on the basis of their programs for younger workers. Among the winners are companies like BMW Canada Inc., CIBC, Coca-Cola Canada, Corus Entertainment Inc., Cossette Communication Inc., Ernst & Young LLP, Free the Children, L’Oréal Canada Inc., Loblaw Companies Limited, Molson Coors Canada, Rogers Communications Inc., TD Bank Group, TELUS Corporation, Toronto International Film Festival Inc. / TIFF, and Whistler Blackcomb, in addition to many others.
So, what’s the criteria? Each employer is evaluated in terms of the programs they have to attract and retain younger workers. This means benefits like tuition assistance, co-op or work-study programs and mentorship and training programs, including benefits such as bonuses paid when employees complete certain courses or professional designations.
The editors also review each employer’s career management program, looking for initiatives – such as company-wide skills inventories – that can assist younger workers advance faster in the organization. Lastly, they look at the average age of employees at each employer to better understand the composition and profile of their workforce.
“For some years, we’ve noticed a small number of employers that really go the extra distance when it comes to recruiting young people and helping them advance,” adds Kristina Leung, Editor, Canada’s Top 100 Employers project. “We’ve seen some wonderful innovations such as employers moving away from traditional job interviews and instead hosting in-house contests and industry events that let new graduates network with future employers.”
The winners were featured in a magazine released nationally today by Jobpostings Magazine. A special awards ceremony for the winning employers will be held in Toronto on September 27.
Representing a variety of professions, in everything from food and beverage to health sciences, finance, and the automobile industry, view the full list of this year’s winners, including the editors’ detailed reasons for selection, here.