Navigating The Shifting World of Work
Change is constant. At JVS Toronto, we see it every day – in our economy, in funding priorities, in the evolving needs of employers, and in the transformative technologies reshaping the way we work. This past year, these forces brought both challenges and opportunities.
Shifts in Canada’s labour market affected people in real and personal ways. Nationally, unemployment rose, and in Ontario it averaged 7%, with some groups – like recent immigrants, adults with disabilities, and youth – facing even higher rates of joblessness. Behind these numbers are people trying to navigate longer job searches, career changes, and the uncertainty that comes with transition.
JVS Toronto served 15,016 individuals last year, with 80% of those who completed our programs successfully moving into employment or training. We worked with newcomers from around the world building new careers in Canada, young graduates eager but anxious to enter a competitive job market, and mid-career workers retraining as their industries evolve. Rapid advances in technology, including Artificial Intelligence, continue to reshape what work looks like and the skills employers value most. In this environment, adaptability is essential. We strive to ensure the individuals we serve learn new skills, build confidence, and find ways to succeed in a job market that continues to evolve.
Read More In Our Annual Report
Our Success Stories
At JVS Toronto, we help individuals not just navigate change, but grow stronger because of it. This year’s report features stories of people who embraced their challenges with strength. These stories reflect the heart of our mission – real people transforming challenge into opportunity. Find more inspiring stories in TURNING POINTS – THRIVING THROUGH CHANGE.
Pursuit of Knowledge – Working with Chiora
“Perseverance in times of uncertainty is necessary and JVS Toronto accompanied me throughout my journey.” – Chiora
Adapting to a new job market can be difficult even for highly skilled newcomers. Chiora, an experienced researcher and senior policy advisor came to Canada from the Republic of Georgia. With a strong background in government, education, and private consultancy, along with a Master’s degree, she was confident the transition into the Canadian labour market would be smooth.
After more than six months of job searching without success though, her confidence began to fade. Unemployment rates for immigrants are significantly higher than those of Canadian-born individuals. Barriers such as language skills and lack of Canadian work experience make it harder for newcomers to find stable employment. Many resort to precarious, gig economy jobs in order to make ends meet.
Unsure of what to do, Chiora turned to JVS Toronto. She took part in the Job Search Workshop for Newcomers program where she refined her resume and learned about the Canadian labour market.
Inspired by this new knowledge, Chiora joined Road to Employment for Immigrant Women where she learned to navigate Canadian workplace culture, hiring practices, and participated in mock interviews. She then enrolled in Canadian Workplace Communication for International Professionals where she expanded her knowledge of sector-specific terminology.
Empowered by the insight and tools she gained at JVS Toronto, Chiora returned to her job search with renewed confidence. She secured a position as a Case Analyst at World Education Services. The role is a perfect fit, aligning with her previous experience in education and her personal mission to help international students, immigrants, and refugees thrive in Canada.
Chiora is more than a success story – she’s a leader and a mentor, sharing her journey with other immigrants, reminding them that with resilience and the right support, newcomers can find not just a job, but a future.
Lost and Found – Working with Serhii
“I got the chance to explore different career paths and get support in figuring out what direction to take. It was the perfect opportunity to get the guidance I needed.” – Serhii
Serhii arrived in Canada with no idea what type of career he wanted to pursue. He knew he wanted a stable job with long-term growth opportunities; one that would afford him the chance to build a better future. He had previously worked several short-term, physical labour jobs in Poland, Ukraine, and Germany, but knew that wasn’t the direction he wanted his life to take.
Looking for any type of employment, Serhii received nothing but rejection emails. Along with the uncertainty of adjusting to a new country, Serhii realized he was lost.
Serhii discovered JVS Toronto and enrolled in the Career Exploration Opportunity workshop, which helps individuals understand labour market trends and explore potential career options.
Career exploration focuses on uncovering a job seeker’s strengths, interests, values, and personality traits. Through an aptitude test, Serhii learned that his personality was well suited for the role of Executive Assistant. With that new understanding, Serhii and his career counsellor began looking into employment opportunities.
After discovering what he valued in a job, Serhii was offered a position that did not align with his values. He decided to turn that role down believing that, in time, he would find the right job for him. That opportunity came during a job fair hosted by JVS Toronto, where Serhii met an employer hiring for an Executive Assistant role.
Today, Serhii is thrilled with his new job. The insight he gained at JVS Toronto helped him find a career path with the stability and long-term growth he wanted, saying, “I learned you need to put in effort to get results. If you want to find the right job, you have to take the time to understand yourself and develop the skills needed to stand out.”
Finding His Voice – Working with Adem
“I like volunteering through JVS Toronto. It gives me an opportunity to explore new places.” – Adem
Finding confidence at work isn’t easy. For Adem, a 24-year-old with a developmental disability, it is even more challenging. Social situations are intimidating. Speaking up feels overwhelming. Time management and commuting on public transit are exhausting. These stresses also make finding work difficult.
Determined to change that, Adem joined JVS Toronto’s Developing Work Connections (DWC), a pre-employment program that supports adults with disabilities in building work and life skills, leading to greater independence and community inclusion.
Through DWC, Adem found support from peers and staff. He took part in group activities, volunteering, mock interviews, and job search workshops that helped build his communication skills and independence. He also attended a weekly Communication Club, where he practiced speaking in public.
With new confidence, and the support of the Disability Services team, Adem applied for and secured a seasonal Guest Services role at Sheridan Nurseries.
With help from JVS Toronto, Adem learned to navigate public transit for his early morning shifts, overcoming his anxiety and proving he could handle challenges. His dedication earned him an invitation back to Sheridan Nurseries for the next season.
Building on his success he began volunteering at Evergreen Brickworks, expanding his skills in gardening and tree planting – each step bringing him closer to his goal of “doing things you need to do to make a better life for yourself.”
Power of Teamwork – Working with SVP Sports
“All the candidates from JVS Toronto were excellent workers, and some still work at SVP Sports to this day. I personally enjoyed training each and every one of them.” – Norman Higgins, SVP Sports Store Manager
Youth unemployment is on the rise across Canada. According to the Ontario Government, unemployment rates for youth in the GTA rose significantly, from 13.2% to 19.8% in 2024 and are currently the highest they have been since 2009 (outside of pandemic years). Young job seekers, ages 15 to 24, are having a harder time than ever finding employment opportunities.
JVS Toronto bridges these gaps by connecting job seekers with employers willing to hire individuals who face challenges like a lack of previous work experience. SVP Sports, a retailer of brand name athletic apparel, has been one of these employer partners for over 18 years.
SVP Sports recognizes the barriers young people face and has worked together with JVS Toronto through our Employer Services to create meaningful pathways to career success for members of the Jane-Finch community. Over the years, SVP Sports has hired many young job seekers from JVS Toronto’s youth services programs and provided them with hands-on training, valuable work experience, and opportunities for long-term employment.
JVS Toronto’s employment experts work closely with SVP Sports to support every young job seeker with on-the-job coaching tailored to their specific needs. Store Manager, Norman Higgins, takes a special interest in mentoring each employee to ensure that their time at SVP Sports sets them up for success in their future careers.
SVP Sports cultivates a nurturing, inclusive environment where young people are not only employed but encouraged, coached, and prepared for success in both their personal and professional lives.
After two decades of helping youth build brighter futures, SVP Sports has become a symbol of opportunity for so many.
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