Enhanced Online Resources to Help Youth Find Employment

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire -01/27/12)- The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced a new approach that will enhance how the Government is helping to equip young Canadians with the tools and resources they need to successfully transition into the workforce.

"This new approach is in line with the Government of Canada's continued commitment to provide youth with the information they need to gain relevant work experience," said Minister Finley. "Canadian youth have asked for easier and better online access to information and services and our government is responding to those needs."

Through enhancements to the Government's main website for youth, Youth.gc.ca, the Government is improving the way it does business to better address the needs of today's youth, including helping them prepare for, find and maintain meaningful employment.

The site will be redesigned to both better meet the needs of today's youth and provide them with a more interactive experience. Information and resources to help youth with their job search, including tips on writing resumes and cover letters, will now be available at Youth.gc.ca year-round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A component of the Working in Canada site is also now available to provide youth with direct access to current information about jobs.

These enhancements to Youth.gc.ca complement the service framework already in place, from coast to coast to coast, through Service Canada. Like all Canadians, youth can also call 1 800 O-Canada or visit any Service Canada Centre.

In the coming months, additional features will be added to the site to better serve young Canadians. Service Canada will be engaging with key stakeholders in winter 2012 to seek out their views on the continued enhancements to Youth.gc.ca.

This news release is available in alternative formats on request.

Backgrounder

The Government is improving the way it serves youth by providing interactive information and resources at Youth.gc.ca, which will be available year-round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The resources on Youth.gc.ca will help youth with their job search by, among other things, providing tips on writing resumes and cover letters.

In addition, part of the Government of Canada's innovative Working in Canada website has been incorporated into Youth.gc.ca. It provides youth with direct access to current information about jobs, including detailed labour market reports customized by occupation and location. Other employment information from Working in Canada-such as job descriptions, wages, skills and education requirements, current opportunities and future forecasted demand-will also be available at Youth.gc.ca.

Voice: a blog for youth, is already available on the site. It aims to answer questions and help youth find the information and tools they need to reach their goals. As part of this enhanced approach, new features, including the use of social media tools such as Twitter and YouTube, will be integrated into Youth.gc.ca in the coming months.

Recent research, including the Service Canada Client Satisfaction Survey and feedback from youth service officers, indicates that today's youth prefer to interact online rather than in person. On Youth.gc.ca, they can find information on jobs, careers and career planning. Seasonal centres will no longer be established, but students will continue to be able to receive in-person services at any existing Service Canada Centre or over the phone at 1 800 O-Canada.

Service Canada will continue to hire students for summer jobs and part-time employment year-round and will also continue to focus on providing students with relevant work experience.