Youth Jobs Strategy will help address the skills mismatch

TORONTO, June 11, 2013 /CNW/ - The Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy that was approved today as part of the Ontario budget represents a significant step in addressing the skills mismatch, said Colleges Ontario president and CEO Linda Franklin.

"We need to help young people get the education and training they need to find meaningful work," Franklin said. "This is particularly important as the skills mismatch in Ontario continues to prevent many young people from landing good jobs."

The skills mismatch is the divide between the skills and credentials held by people looking for work and the qualifications sought by employers. Growing numbers of people - particularly young people - are unable to find work because they don't have the right education and training.

The problem is expected to get worse as new technology and innovations transform the economy and create increasing demands for a more highly skilled workforce.

The government has acknowledged the Youth Jobs Strategy, which was the centerpiece of this year's budget, must help address the mismatch. Referring to the Youth Jobs Strategy, Premier Kathleen Wynne said recently, "We need to make sure that we are providing training programs in areas where there actually are jobs."

Franklin said the career-focused programs at Ontario's 24 public colleges will be particularly important to the success of the strategy.

The implementation of the strategy should include measures to encourage more people to pursue higher education, including apprenticeship training. The province should also strengthen its credit-transfer system for post-secondary students, to help more people get a combination of both university and college education.

"Preparing graduates to enter the workforce quickly and with the right skills and credentials must be a top priority for Ontario," said Franklin. "We look forward to collaborating with the Ontario government to help more young people find meaningful work."

SOURCE: Colleges Ontario

Karen Horsman
Manager, Media Relations and Communications
Colleges Ontario
647-258-7686
[email protected]