Colleges pleased with government measures to tackle youth unemployment

TORONTO, April 29, 2013 /CNW/ - The Ontario government's announcement today of a new Youth Jobs Strategy is being applauded by Ontario's colleges.

"It's essential that more young people acquire the skills and problem-solving abilities they need to succeed in the new economy," said Linda Franklin, the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario. "The government's announcement recognizes the importance of promoting a highly skilled and innovative workforce."

The government announced it is investing $295 million over two years in a Youth Jobs Strategy that aims to create 30,000 new jobs.

A key component of the new strategy is a Business-Labour Connectivity and Training Fund that will bring together business, labour, educators and youth to help more young people develop the specific skills they need to succeed.

Franklin said this type of investment is essential as the province struggles with a skills mismatch where many people seeking work don't have the qualifications and skills to fill job vacancies.

Colleges are also pleased to see the support to help post-secondary students become more entrepreneurial through industrial research, development and commercialization.

Ontario's colleges have many partnerships with businesses and industries to work on research projects that help small- and medium-sized enterprises become more innovative and successful. New opportunities to help young people take part in such research provide more people with first-hand experience that has real-world implications.

"This is an important investment into research that helps young people become better prepared for the challenges of tomorrow," Franklin said. "We are pleased to see it is one of the priorities in the Youth Jobs Strategy."

SOURCE: Colleges Ontario

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