April 16, 2015
The City of Toronto's new youth employment action plan was endorsed by the Economic Development Committee today. The plan, called Work-Based Learning Works: An Action Plan for Youth Employment in Toronto, will go forward to City Council in May for consideration.
"Earlier this week, I challenged the private sector to dedicate more of its positions and resources to help unemployed young people in the city," said Mayor John Tory. "Now we are challenging ourselves at the City of Toronto to lead by example. With this new action plan, the City will be developing and expanding our own resources and services for young people.”
The plan, which builds on a range of successful City initiatives, follows on City Council's recent endorsement of initiatives encouraging the expansion of youth employment opportunities. The effort has already resulted in the commitment of 19 new employers and the renewed commitment of 13 more through the City's Partnership to Advance Youth Employment (PAYE) program.
For example, the City is working with key partners on initiatives such as the Bombardier Aircraft Assembler Fast Track Certification Program and the Computer Numerical Control Machinist Recruitment and Training Program.
"This action plan reinforces the City's commitment to bring young people the skills, connections and experience they need to find and keep good jobs," said Councillor Michael Thompson (Ward 37 Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic Development Committee. "The programs encompassed by the plan are built around strategic collaboration with the private sector, collaboration which increases the plan’s potential for success."
Through the City's workforce development strategy Working as One and programs such as PAYE, the City has already connected thousands of youth with opportunities to build work experience. As a leading youth employer and employment facilitator in Toronto, the City recognizes the seriousness of youth unemployment and the need to act decisively to improve prospects for youth looking for jobs and careers.
The City of Toronto provides various work-based learning opportunities. The new action plan identifies practices that the City can pursue to increase opportunities for youth.
The action plan will leverage the City's role as an employer while capitalizing on existing connections with employer and sector partners. It also recommends increasing support to young entrepreneurs and to support youth who face multiple barriers to employment.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit
http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contact: Anna McGrath, Toronto Employment and Social Services, 416-392-9052, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
