Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2025) Magazine - Flipbook - Page 16
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ATCO
CANADA’S TOP EMPLOYERS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (2025)
Calgary-based ATCO Ltd. offers an engineering development program, providing exposure across functions through job shadowing and temporary work assignments.
A play to stay
Canada’s Top Employers for Young People are working hard to keep them
H
ow do Canada’s Top Employers
for Young People (2025) retain
their new hires? It’s an increasing challenge when Gen Z
(born after 1997) is supposed to be known
for job-hopping, especially around the
three-year mark. Young people themselves, of course, don’t like to be stereotyped – often, they say, they’re just looking
for the right fit with an employer that
treats them well and provides an environment they can thrive in.
And in recent years, especially, that’s
what the Canada’s Top Employers for Young
People (2025) winners have been focusing
on. A key element for this generation is
what’s become known as “purpose”.
“Young people are so much more aware
and concerned with the world around
them,” says Chantel Watkins, assistant
editor at Mediacorp Canada, which
manages the annual competition. “They’re
very aware of social justice issues, very
aware of the political climate, and very
aware of what it is they’re looking for in
their personal lives and their working
lives.
“Many employers are responding to this
by giving them opportunities to find a
sense of purpose in their work, engage
more deeply with their community, and be
a part of an organization that aligns with
the things they care about.
Employers often offer two paid days a
year for employees to volunteer in
everything from beach cleanups to Habitat
for Humanity. In fact, says Kristina Leung,
managing editor for Mediacorp, some 80
per cent of competition winners now offer
such time off. “There’s a direct correlation
in the formal benefits that companies are
offering to ensure that they reflect the
wants and needs of young people,” she
says.
Beyond purpose, many employers try to
provide flexible time off or hybrid work
weeks to satisfy their young employees
(and others), although many also
appreciate coming into the office some of
the time to engage with others. And in the
job itself, mentorship and career
development have become critical areas.
Employers are pointing to training
opportunities and potential career paths
that can give young people long-term
stability, says Leung. “It’s ‘let’s grow and
learn together’ – so you can find your best
fit at the organization.”
– Berton Woodward
