Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Comité permanent des ressources humaines, du développement des compétences, du développement social et de la condition des personnes handicapées

For immediate release

Ottawa, October 17, 2018 -

Today, MP Bryan May, Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, tabled the Committee’s 12th report in the House of Commons.

A significant number of young Canadians believe that the training they receive as part of their education does not adequately prepare them for the world of work, and many Canadian employers would agree. As a result, many young Canadians have difficulty finding suitable employment upon graduation.

The report, Experiential Learning and Pathways to Employment for Canadian Youth, looks at the trajectory of young Canadians from school to the workforce and how experiential learning opportunities can help facilitate this process by building bridges between the worlds of education and work.

“I hope that students, employers, and educational institutions find value in this report and in the recommendations we have submitted to the government, looking for solutions to the issues of unemployment and underemployment of Canadian youth,” said Mr. May.

In its report, the Committee found that a close collaboration of employers and unions, educational institutions, governments and community stakeholders is crucial to provide young Canadians with meaningful experiential learning opportunities. In particular, the study recommends that the Government of Canada take steps to encourage employers to devote more time and resources to the training of Canadians. It also stresses the importance of developing and providing reliable, detailed and engaging labour market information to guide young people in their career choices.

With a view to reducing youth unemployment and underemployment, the report examines how different types of experiential learning, such as co-op programs and work-integrated learning, apprenticeship programs, volunteerism and internships, and entrepreneurship programs can help young people enter the workforce. The report also focuses on the support measures needed by young people from vulnerable groups to ensure their long-term integration into the workforce. The report makes 17 recommendations aimed at harnessing the enormous potential of experiential learning. These recommendations will help guide the Youth Employment Strategy renewal currently underway and the ongoing development of programs and initiatives aimed at developing the skills of Canadians.

The Committee’s report is based on the oral and written evidence provided by various groups, including government officials, researchers, community organizations, employers, educational institutions, unions, and other relevant stakeholders, between November 2017 and May 2018. On behalf of the Committee, the Chair would like to thank all the witnesses and individuals who contributed to the study and submitted briefs to the Committee for their comments and participation in the work of HUMA.

The Committee is composed of 14 members. Chair: Bryan May (Cambridge); Vice-Chairs: John Barlow (Foothills) and Brigitte Sansoucy (Saint-Hyacinthe – Bagot); other members: Rodger Cuzner (Cape Breton – Canso), Kerry Diotte (Edmonton Griesbach), Rosemarie Falk (Battlefords – Lloydminster), Gordie Hogg (South Surrey – White Rock), Wayne Long (Saint John – Rothesay), Robert J. Morrissey (Egmont), Sherry Romanado (Longueuil – Charles-LeMoyne), Dan Ruimy (Pitt Meadows – Maple Ridge), Ramesh Sangha (Brampton – Centre), Adam Vaughan (Spadina – Fort York) and Kate Young (London West).