I am originally from Belarus (came to Canada with my family a long time ago). I am also 21 years old and live in Ajax, ON, CA, which is in the eastern part of the GTA. I have also been looking for a job for about a year now, applying both online and in-person and also trying to get as many references as possible and use those. I have also been to various employment agencies such as YMCA.
I have been applying to various places like fast food restaurants, grocery stores, .etc, but with no success.
I also wanted to do an Automotive Technician apprenticeship, but I have been told that a lot of the auto repair shops here just don't get a lot of work and all of the jobs are basically taken by Temporary Foreign Workers (aka. TFWs) and immigrants on student visas. I personally wonder if this is true though, because I have also heard that January and February are usually very slow months for auto repair shops.
I was also wondering, is there a career/job in Toronto (or closer to Ajax) that is both in high demand right now (well, ignoring the fact that nobody's hiring in January now) and not taken by TFWs and immigrants on student visas?
Edit: Added explanation of what is a TFW. Also want to add that I have noticed that a lot of the jobs are just taken by TFWs and immigrants on students visas mostly from India/middle east.
If I was in your shoes, I would focus on getting an education. An entry level job is good as it brings in an income however building skills will create a career and a higher pay.
Health care is an in demand field.
Automotive, I'm not sure what it is like in Toronto, but there are probably more competitive candidates with education in Automotive who are more likely to get entry level roles. What kind of mechanic too. Light vehicles, transport, heavy equipment.
Think about what you want to do as a career. Go to job fairs as well. Make yourself more competitive - education, drivers license, etc.