BC Centre for Employment Excellence
There is much concern about the transition of youth with mental health issues from child/adolescent to adult mental health services. This is complicated by their passage from childhood to adulthood which generates developmental needs beyond those that are illness-specific. Studies have … Continue reading
In 2011, the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) introduced the work experience program (WE) to help young unemployed people get valuable work-based skills and the practical experience they need to secure a job. The program consisted of a … Continue reading
Increasing globalization, rapidly-changing technology and an aging baby boomer generation are all contributing to a growing skills shortage in British Columbia and elsewhere. Post-secondary education must to a large extent address this gap in providing skilled workers to meet employers’ … Continue reading
Students generally choose a post-secondary education program based on interest, program availability and cost, and prospective employment, earnings, and job outcomes. Another potential education outcome would be the skill requirements of jobs in the chose field, as they are good … Continue reading
One in six young people in OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries is not in employment, education or training, and of these, two-thirds are not actively looking for work, thus raising both immediate and longer-term challenges for individuals … Continue reading
The National Collaborative for Workplace Diversity for Youth (or NCWD/Youth) is a US-based initiative that was formed to respond to the challenge that many youth with disabilities have in finding gainful employment. Composed of partners in disability, education, employment and … Continue reading
Improving youth school-to-work (STW) transitions is an important, though challenging, way of reducing high unemployment, underemployment and precarious employment among youth. This report by Donnalee Bell, Krista Benes and Dave Redekop of Life-Role Development Group Ltd. identifies the causes of … Continue reading
The youth unemployment rate worldwide remains high at 13% compared to pre-recession levels, despite some improvement in the overall economy and the implementation of active labour market measures to connect youth to jobs. While previous studies have synthesized the evaluation … Continue reading
Since 2005, the BC Ministry of Advanced Education and BCStats have been conducting a province-wide annual survey of former apprenticeship students in British Columbia along with graduates of other post-secondary programs, which are delivered through 19 BC public post-secondary institutions … Continue reading
This study focusses on the young people in in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) of Ontario. It examined an action plan called Escalator: Jobs for Youth Facing Barriers that was established through a partnership between Government of Ontario … Continue reading
Post-secondary institutions are an important source of an economy’s skills and research has shown the important role education and skills development play in a nation’s prosperity. In the face of rapid technological innovation and concerns about its impact on graduate … Continue reading
Finding entry-level talent is difficult for firms in a competitive, low-unemployment economy. Firms unable to fill the large number of entry-level jobs that have been and are expected to be created will face lower productivity and revenue. While there are … Continue reading
Given that up to a half of individuals who receive treatment for substance abuse will relapse–most within a year, this post by Social Solutions Global, an American human services management software company, highlights three important research-based strategies to ensure effective … Continue reading
Canadians with disabilities continue to face relatively high rates of unemployment and underemployment despite past promises of equal opportunity for them. With a new federal government committed to policy and program innovation and inter-governmental collaboration towards a goal of inclusive … Continue reading
This paper from Marco Caliendo and Ricarda Schmidl of the University of Potsdam and the University of Mannheim reviews the effectiveness of active labor market programs (ALMPs) in supporting young job seekers in Europe. Due to high levels of youth … Continue reading
This study by Sally Lindsay, Laura R. Hartman and Melissa Fellin of the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the University of Toronto in the October 2015 issue of Disability and Rehabilitation provides a systemic review of the literature on … Continue reading
This paper from the United Kingdom explores the benefits to employers from hiring youth and provides several concrete recommendations for employing young staff. While some businesses don’t see the business case for employing young people, the article points out a … Continue reading
The study looks at career expectation among Canadian youths from the age of 15 to 25: how often do those expectations change, what are the factors that increase consistency, and what impact do consistent career expectations have on academic attainment? Continue reading
As part of BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, the provincial government is investing $6.8 million to fund an additional 1,424 trades seats at 14 public postsecondary institutions throughout British Columbia. Continue reading
This document uses a case study approach to explore the variety of approaches of services delivered to youth with disabilities during the transition time from school to work. This research study applies to career practitioners as it outlines several strategies … Continue reading
This document on youth unemployment (and underemployment) coincides with a policy paper series sponsored by Canada2020. Career development practitioners will find it useful as it brings together existing evidence to better understand some of the challenges facing young Canadians in … Continue reading
Skills Canada is a website to encourage and support a coordinated Canadian approach to promoting skilled trades and technologies among youth. Career development practitioners can utilize this website to assist their young clients in developing their essential skills, which include numeracy, … Continue reading
This study examined various transitioning programs for high school students with disabilities to help career practitioners develop effective programs that would improve post-high school outcomes of students with disabilities, including employment. Continue reading
Learn more about different approaches and strategies to helping youth find their path to employment. Circuit Coach aims to assist career practitioners in their work with youth with relevant resources and training program materials, including tools and ready-to-use workshops. Continue reading
A database of youth employment programs where career practitioners can find effective approaches to advancing youth employment. YEI provides detailed information on projects and evaluation of programs on various youth employment interventions that have been implemented worldwide. Continue reading
This brief overview of OECD education indicators highlights the difficult transition process from school to work for young people in Canada and other OECD member countries. Continue reading
The discussion video released by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) cover the topic of Getting Young People into Work. A panel of experts in the UK’s education field discuss NFER’s Education to Employment research programme, the findings, and what can be done to address the barriers young people face in obtaining employment. Continue reading
A smartphone app for youth jobseekers who are interested in starting their own business. This app has quizzes and challenges that allow young job seekers to learn about basic business skills and entrepreneurship. Continue reading
Provides information about resource trades occupation and apprenticeship programs for job seekers who are interested in trades career. The website includes videos, employer information, testimonials, and links to other useful resources. Continue reading
This study examined different education-to-employment initiatives around the world to promote youth employment by using case studies and survey data of youth, education providers, and employers. Continue reading
This study examined effective practices in youth employment programs in the United States. Continue reading
Provides career practitioners with useful information for assisting people from diverse populations find meaningful employment. The guide addresses challenges each group face by providing different ways to deal with those challenges. Continue reading
Provides career development professionals and youth organizations with FoodShare’s program development information for youth employment. This innovative internship program gives marginalized, at-risk youth in the community with an opportunity to develop employability skills and achieve their personal goals through learning, mentoring, workshops, and on-the-job training. Continue reading
This study analyzed the interim findings of the Youth Transition Demonstration (YTD) project evaluation, and the impact the project evaluation had on paid employment and earnings of youth with disabilities. Continue reading
This study examined barriers and catalysts for young people with disabilities in finding employment after completing their studies, and further identified experiences and challenges they face when making the transition from education to employment. Continue reading
Using Statistics Canada’s Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (2007-2009), this study examined young workers experiencing employment instability in the Canadian labour market. Continue reading
Provides a recap of one-day symposium hosted by Public Policy Forum and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. The report addresses challenges youth in Canada face in today’s economy, and provides insight into different career development models for youth. Continue reading
Designed to assist businesses support and employ youth, disconnected youth in particular. This toolkit provides step-by-step instructions on developing skills training programs for youth, self-assessment tools, scoring cards, templates, and links to additional tools and resources. Continue reading
Designed to assist career practitioners working with youth, including youth with disabilities. The guide helps youth-serving practitioners understand learning disabilities in youth and learn more about the support programs and existing research. Continue reading
Provides synthesis of competencies for career practitioners who work with youth clients. The core competency areas such as knowledge, communication with youth, and workforce preparation that are identified in this guide help youth service practitioners in their professional development. Continue reading
Allows youth job seekers to assess their own skills and discover new careers in BC. Career practitioners may utilize this tool with their young clients to find information about education requirements, salaries, and job responsibilities. Continue reading
The study examined community employment programs for youth and discussed the role the employers should play in supporting youth employment. Continue reading
This study analyzed Canadian youth unemployment trends, and further provided insight into youth underemployment and skills underutilization. Continue reading
This study highlighted the achievements of the Pathways to Education Program in the Regent Park community, one of Toronto’s low-income communities, and provided lessons learned from the development of the Pathways to Education Program. Continue reading
The study examined growing youth unemployment and underemployment trends in Canada, particularly, since the recession in 2008. Continue reading
Provides profiles of specialized population groups focusing on Aboriginal people, youth, women, and people with disabilities. This easy-to-read resource booklet has recruitment and retention tips, workplace checklist, sample interview questions, and relevant statistics on specialized population groups for employers. Continue reading
Helps youth with disabilities, or anyone who is having a hard time finding a job, explore self-employment option. This easy-to-use toolkit provides checklist, exercises, and step-by-step instructions complete with information on self-employment. Continue reading
Designed to assist youths in applying the essential skills they have gained through life experience to occupational areas. This practitioner’s kit would help youths discover and identify their interests and essential skills so that they would be better prepared to use their skills in the workplace. Continue reading
Provides information on the benefits of hiring youth, solutions for youth employment, and directions employers can take to promote youth employment. Furthermore, worldwide examples of initiatives and successful practices as well as action plan for employers and employers’ organizations are included in the guide. Continue reading
Offers examples of best practices and successful initiatives directed at hiring and managing post-secondary students with disabilities. These examples highlight what some ‘role model’ employers are doing right and provide a case for other organizations and businesses to follow suit. Continue reading
Provides comprehensive information and resources for employers on youth employment. Employers can find information on risks and benefits of hiring youth, tips for establishing partnership with community agencies, and reasons why they should hire youth. Continue reading
Program list for youth is available here. Continue reading
