Shape Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy: Share Your Voice
The landscape of work is changing at a breathtaking pace. For young Canadians stepping into this dynamic environment, having the right skills, support, and opportunities is more critical than ever. Recognizing this, the Government of Canada has launched a vital initiative to reshape and modernize its approach to youth employment. They are turning to the most important stakeholders of all—you—to help guide this transformation.
This is a unique opportunity for students, recent graduates, employers, community organizations, and all Canadians to contribute their perspectives. Your lived experiences, challenges, and ideas are the essential ingredients needed to build a more responsive and effective Youth Employment Strategy (YES) for the future. The government is actively seeking your input on how to better prepare young people for the careers of tomorrow and ensure no one is left behind.
Why Your Input on the Youth Employment Strategy Matters
The Youth Employment Strategy is a cornerstone of the federal government’s commitment to helping young people, typically aged 15 to 30, succeed in the workforce. For years, programs under the YES umbrella, such as the Canada Summer Jobs program and Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, have provided invaluable opportunities. These initiatives have helped countless young Canadians gain their first work experience, develop crucial skills, and build professional networks.
However, the world of work is not what it was a decade ago. The rise of the gig economy, the rapid integration of artificial intelligence, the growing demand for green skills, and the lasting impacts of the pandemic have fundamentally altered the employment landscape. The government understands that a strategy designed for the past may not fully address the challenges and opportunities of the present and future.
This consultation process is about bridging that gap. By sharing your voice, you are directly influencing how millions of dollars in funding will be allocated and which programs will be prioritized. Your feedback will help answer critical questions, such as:
Key Areas for Improvement: Where Your Insights Can Make a Difference
The government’s consultation paper outlines several key areas where your feedback is sought. These are the pillars upon which a renewed Youth Employment Strategy will be built. Understanding these focus areas can help you formulate your own contributions.
1. Embracing Skills for the Future Economy
The jobs of tomorrow will require a different set of competencies than those of the past. There is a growing emphasis on digital literacy, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills, and the ability to adapt to new technologies. However, soft skills like critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration remain equally vital. Your input can help determine:
2. Enhancing Support for Equity-Deserving Groups
A successful strategy must be an inclusive one. The government is keenly focused on ensuring that all young Canadians, particularly those from underrepresented and marginalized communities, have equitable access to employment opportunities. This means dismantling systemic barriers and creating targeted support. You can provide valuable perspective on:
3. Strengthening Partnerships and Employer Engagement
The government cannot do this alone. A robust YES depends on strong, collaborative relationships with employers of all sizes, from small local businesses to large national corporations, as well as non-profit organizations and post-secondary institutions. Your insights as an employer or community leader are crucial here. Consider:
4. Building a More Accessible and Responsive System
Sometimes, the biggest barrier is bureaucracy. The government is looking for ways to make its youth employment programs easier to find, understand, and use. This is where your experience with current systems can provide direct, actionable feedback. Think about:
How You Can Participate and Make Your Voice Heard
Contributing to this national conversation is a straightforward process designed to be as inclusive as possible. The government is using multiple channels to gather feedback until the consultation period closes.
The primary method is through an online questionnaire. This survey is structured around the key themes discussed above and allows you to provide detailed written responses. It is available on the official Government of Canada website dedicated to the YES consultation.
For those who prefer a more collaborative approach, you can also participate in virtual and in-person engagement sessions. These sessions are being held across the country to facilitate deeper discussion and gather diverse viewpoints. Information on how to register for these events is available on the consultation website.
Additionally, the government is accepting formal written submissions via email. This option is ideal for organizations, academic institutions, and industry associations that wish to provide comprehensive reports or position papers.
Be Part of Building a Stronger Future for Canada’s Youth
This consultation is more than just a feedback form; it is a chance to shape the economic future of an entire generation. The decisions made today will determine what resources are available for the next cohort of students, the next wave of entrepreneurs, and the next generation of Canadian leaders. Your story, your expertise, and your ideas have the power to create a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous workforce for everyone.
Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Whether you are a young person who has struggled to find that first job, an employer who understands the skills gap firsthand, or a community advocate who sees where the system falls short, your perspective is invaluable. Visit the official Government of Canada consultation page, share your voice, and help build a Youth Employment Strategy that truly works for all Canadians.
