Recruiting Gen Z
How young people are changing the workplace
2025 Winners
Meet the 2025 winners of the Canada's Top Employers for Young People competition. Click on any employer name below to discover our editors' detailed Reasons for Selection.
Employees at EY in Toronto take part in Horizons Live, the organization’s promotion and career
development program for new managers (Photo: J.Rowsom).
Recruiting Gen Z
This generation is changing the workplace, and the workplace is changing for them
As the next generation of talent floods the workforce, the winners of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2025) are ready. It starts with understanding how Gen Z (born after 1997) is different – coming into an interconnected technological world, more ethnoculturally diverse than previous generations and highly educated, although much of their post-secondary education was impacted by the pandemic.
So what is Gen Z looking for and how are Top Employers adapting?
Work-life balance is a priority, so flexibility is a must with remote and hybrid work options on offer. Onboarding programs often extend throughout an employee's first year, with mentors or informal buddies to help navigate the workplace. Additionally, many organizations offer rotational programs for interns and recent grads that allow individuals to test out different career paths.
Open communication and frequent constructive feedback are key to alleviating Gen Z's anxiety at work. Multiple studies report that this generation experiences higher rates of anxiety and depression than any other age group.
Nina Abdelmessih, chief operating officer for Boston Consulting Group Canada, says support for mental health is an issue young people often ask about during recruiting.
"They're really interested in digital access to providers for their mental health and wellness," says Abdelmessih. "So we offer mobile access to psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health and medical professionals. They're also focused on learning and supports for their own professional development, so we have a suite of offerings on that front as well to support their day-to-day working lives as young professionals."
After the pandemic years of isolation, many employers are emphasizing social engagement and community building, helping younger staff develop their soft skills.
For instance, electronics manufacturer Celestica Inc. created a NextGen employee resource group connecting early career individuals with employees who want to support them, and legal tech company Clio dedicates three days per quarter for company hackathons, enabling employees to work in teams on ideas they're passionate about, whether directly related to work or otherwise.
The benefits are mutual. As Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2025) help Gen Z thrive and reach their full potential, they win too.
– Diane Jermyn
This article appeared in the official magazine announcing Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2025), published January 21, 2025, online in The Globe and Mail and on Eluta.ca.
Drew Williams joined Labatt Breweries of Canada as an intern and now holds a permanent position as a
scrum master.
Top employers work hard to retain young talent
Canada's Top Employers for Young People are working hard to keep them
How 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
This article appeared in the official magazine announcing Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2025), published January 21, 2025, online in The Globe and Mail and on Eluta.ca.
Methodology
First published in 2002, Canada's Top Employers for Young People is an editorial competition organized by the Canada's Top 100 Employers project. This special designation recognizes the employers that offer the best workplaces for young people just starting their careers.
Organizations are evaluated by editors of Canada's Top Employers for Young People based on programs they have to attract and retain younger workers. Key benefits include tuition assistance, the availability of co-op or work-study programs, mentorship and training programs. The editors also review each employer for career development initiatives that can assist young people in advancement and determining their career paths.
Any employer that has its head office or principal place of business in Canada may apply for this competition through the Canada's Top 100 Employers application process. Organizations of any size may participate, whether private or public sector. Employers complete a single application for the national, regional, and special-interest competitions, including Canada's Top Employers for Young People.
– Kristina Leung
This article appeared in the official magazine announcing Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2025), published January 21, 2025, online in The Globe and Mail and on Eluta.ca.
Employees at Teck Resources work at the company’s Galore Creek Project site in Northwestern British
Columbia.
Apply
If you are an exceptional employer with progressive HR programs and policies, consider applying for next year's edition of Canada's Top Employers for Young People. Now entering its 19th year, our project is the nation's longest-running editorial competition. Applications for 2026 open in February. Join our mailing list for more info.
