Youth Jobs Strategy will help address the skills mismatch

Canadore College
News Release

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The Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy that was approved this week as part of the Ontario budget represents a significant step in addressing the skills mismatch and youth unemployment and under employment, said Canadore College President George Burton.


“Helping young people get good jobs to create promising futures is a top priority,” said Burton. “The knowledge and qualifications mismatch in Ontario is making connecting people to jobs even more challenging. Colleges will play a central part in the province’s strategy to help youth acquire skills that are accurately aligned with the job market.”


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.”


The career-focused programs at Ontario’s 24 public colleges will be particularly important to the success of the strategy. “We must ensure our graduates receive the education, training and credentials that allow them to compete in the global marketplace. We must bring urgency to solve the skills gap issue. The jurisdiction that effectively addresses the issue will have a sustainable and competitive economic advantage.”


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 postsecondary students, to help more people get a combination of both university and college education.


“Even in this difficult economy, applied learning and career-focused training helps graduates find meaningful work,” said Burton. “We look forward to working with the provincial government to help Ontario address the skills mismatch.”

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