Youth are typically recognized as a country’s future. They are the future public- and private-sector employees, business owners, legislators, community leaders and volunteers, among others. Given the importance of youth to a country’s future well-being, it is perhaps important that youth are supported as they face challenges when studying, working or looking for work, or becoming entrepreneurs.

For example, as students, youth may experience a mismatch between the skills they chose to acquire and those sought by employers when they graduate, may find that internship and similar opportunities are limited, and may be unable to afford the post-secondary education that is needed to obtain and retain employment in their chosen field. From that perspective, a focus on improving labour market information, ensuring that youth are fully aware of educational, internship, skills training and career options, and addressing affordability concerns in relation to education and training may be appropriate. As well, the particular needs of specific groups of students, such as Aboriginal and disabled youth, may have to be met through different measures.

As young employees and young people looking for work, youth may experience particular employment-related challenges during recessions, may find that the sectors or types of workplaces in which they are most typically employed are changing over time, and may have limited access to Employment Insurance. In this context, decision makers may wish to consider measures in such areas as labour mobility, support for ongoing skills training, improved labour market information and changes to such programs as Employment Insurance and employment programs. Particular groups of young employees and job searchers, including those who are Aboriginal Canadian or disabled, may need specific supports to help them reach their employment goals.

Finally, as entrepreneurs, youth may not perceive entrepreneurship to be a viable career option, may be unaware of or unable to access government programs, and may face a variety of financial constraints. To that end, a range of financial and non-financial supports, as well as business skills training, may help youth to become and remain successful entrepreneurs that contribute to the nation’s economy and employ other Canadians.

Having received a wide range of testimony on the challenges faced by – and solutions proposed for – youth as students, employees, unemployed and underemployed individuals, and entrepreneurs, the Committee is confident that implementation of the recommendations made by us in Chapter Five will help to ensure that Canada’s youth are able to realize their potential in the variety of roles they may play within society.