Summary

This article outlines a youth training program that is a win-win for the employer, young employees, the economy and society.

Getting Started

Appropriate Subject Area(s):

Business management, human resources, career planning, innovation

Key Questions to Explore:

  • What is the impact of youth unemployment and youth underemployment on society?

New Terminology:

Computer-driven machines

Study and Discussion Activity

Introduction to lesson and task:

This lesson will have students explore what factors, if any, differentiate youth unemployment from unemployment in the population at large and what might be done to alleviate it.

Action (lesson plan and task):

  1. Have a class discussion on youth unemployment. Bring in data related to your community.
  2. Ask students why they think youth unemployment is higher than the population average unemployment. What solutions to this can they envisage? Capture their ideas on a white board or flip chart.
  3. Distribute the article for reading.
  4. In pairs, have students discuss some of the solutions to youth unemployment talked about in the article. Compare with those brainstormed earlier.
  5. Write these three topics on the board:
    1. Youth Skills Connection Program
    2. International programs that support youth transition to employment
    3. A highly skilled workforce will give Canada an economic advantage in the future.
  6. Ask students to decide which topic they would be interested to research with the purpose of presenting present key learnings to the class.
  7. In their affinity groups, have students do their research and present key learnings to the class.

Consolidation of Learning:

  • In small groups, have students discuss the following quote from the article; “Employers have cut spending on workplace training by nearly 40% in the past two decades. The OECD has long urged Canada to boost efforts in skills training.”
Success and Additional Learning

Success Criteria:

  • The students’ presentations demonstrate understanding of the issues related to youth unemployment.

 Confirming Activity:

  • Have students write a one-page paper outlining their ideas for solving the youth unemployment issue in your community.