Practice your handshake — a massive youth job fair is being held in downtown Mississauga Sunday.
The Mayor’s Youth Employment Expo is connecting young people with businesses filling full-time, part-time and seasonal positions now and in the near future.
Paid internships, volunteer opportunities and co-op placements are also being explored.
Youth unemployment rates have been on the rise since the 2008 global recession: among youth ages 15 to 24 in Peel Region it’s higher than the national average — 17 per cent in the third quarter of 2014, compared to 14 per cent nationally.
The current youth unemployment rate in Peel is 18 per cent.
This represents more than 32,000 young people, with unemployed black youth making up 30 per cent of that figure.
Jobless youth with disabilities and Aboriginals also face obstacles and discrimination, according to a recent report.
Rates are expected to climb as more young people are entering the job market than ever before.
The event runs from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Mississauga Civic Centre’s Great Hall on the main floor. Register here.

-Kelly Roche
@qewsouthpost