By Sandra Oey
Late last month, the Conservative government announced they will cut $1 billion this year to a long list of social development programs, and members of the opposition wasted no time in making their feelings known.
The programs included cuts to, among other things, federal youth employment programs. Of that $1 billion, $73 million will be to youth employment and adult literacy programs. The government says it will cut another $1 billion next year.
Liberal and NDP MPs criticized the program downsizing in the social development sector, saying it targets some of the most vulnerable demographics in Canada and jeopardizes their future.
The Conservatives were quick to defend their decision, claiming they cut programs that were not providing enough value for their money.
It is obvious that cuts to these programs will hurt many Canadians, but it is not a surprise the Conservatives would target them. Traditionally, maintaining social development programs are not very high on the party’s list of priorities. This was demonstrated when the Harper government preferred to hand monthly cheques out to families with children under six instead of implementing the Liberal’s national day-care plan.
While all these social development programs have their place in Canada, youth employment is a special case. To cut costs and resources to youth employment programs would in, the end, would be a detrimental choice for Canada. By decreasing the amount of opportunities given to young people seeking employment, the government is putting a generation of young men and women at a disadvantage when they graduate from high school or post-secondary education without any real job experience.
According to a 2004 by Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) study, nearly two-thirds of students worked or volunteered during the school year. Many youth want to work, and while earning money is one of the main goals in seeking employment, there are several advantages to gaining work experience early.
Initiatives like the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) help high school and university students fin d employment through the government of Canada. An extensive list of government jobs is offered through FSWEP including work in business, law, the environment, and recreation.
Many of the jobs offered through programs like FSWEP relate to degree programs students might want to study once they are in post-secondary education, or to the program they are already in. These jobs will provide students with an opportunity to see what it is like to work in their field of study. No matter how much students learn about their careers in school, it does not compare to actually experiencing what it is like to work in their field.
As well, the earlier people seek employment, the earlier they learn to handle more responsibility and develop communication, management and organizational skills. They will also be exposed to professional work atmospheres, working alongside customers, colleagues and management. All of this translates into a better employee for your company once the trainee is ready to begin a career.
To take resources away from youth employment programs is to put talented and hard-working youth at risk for their future. Making cuts to youth employment now will be making cuts to the future of the workforce in Canada.