Durham Youth Unemployment

DWA launches its 2016 Durham Under 30 Survey

August 24, 2016 3:08 pm Leave a Comment

 

In response to a steepening youth unemployment rate in the Oshawa Oshawa Census Metropolitan Area (CMA), the Durham Workforce Authority is launching its Durham Under 30 Survey.

Several community consultations with service providers, the Boys and Girls Club of Durham Region, Family Court Clinic, E-Camp Mentoring, UpNext Ajax team, and the planning team for Oshawa’s 3 Point Plan for Youth Employment indicated  existing labour market base indicators did not identify skills gaps and service needs for the 15-29 population.

This isn’t the first time such a survey has been taken. In 2013 the DWA conducted its first survey of Durham youth.  The survey results were used to better understand local organization programming needs.

The Durham Under 30 Survey includes an assessment of five of the nine federally identified essential skills. These results can be compared against the LEPC Employer Survey to contrast the essential skill levels of youth against the essential skills.

In May 2016, youth unemployment (15-24 years old) in Oshawa Census Metropolitan Area (CMA), which includes Oshawa, Whitby and Clarington was 13.7 per cent compared to the same CMA population of 25-44 with an unemployment rate of 4.7 per cent.

According to Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey, the Oshawa Census Metropolitan Area has had one of the highest youth unemployment rates.

Further, the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) shows 40 per cent of youth are employed in one of 10 occupations, most of which are entry level occupations with limited opportunity for growth. In order to address an aging workforce, Durham Region needs to attract and retain youth populations.

Results compiled from the survey’s data helps to inform local employers and educational institutions in making better employment, training and program planning decisions. It also provides just-in-time local labour market information that is more detailed than data obtained through secondary sources allowing employers, Employment Ontario service providers and community service organizations to better serve Durham Region youth’s unique service needs.

Our goals for the 2016 Durham Under 30 Survey

•    Increase global response rates from 800 to 1,000 completed surveys.
•    Increase response rates of 20-24 year olds from 86 respondents to 120 respondents.
•    Share survey results through four community presentations. This will provide an 80 per cent increase in understanding of youth service needs and labour force attachment.

The Durham Under 30 Survey will deepen the understanding of the under 30 population and allow community organizations, educational institutions and employers to adjust programs and services offered. In addition, the survey will allow for more wholesome discussions about systemic youth unemployment and under-employment.

Previous survey results have been shared with the broader community, in both raw data responses and presentation reports via the Employment Ontario Service Providers meetings, the Literacy Service Coordination meetings, Local Diversity and Immigration Partnership Council, the Durham District School Board, the Durham Catholic District School Board and community based service providers outside the Employment Ontario network.

The survey results have been used to initiate community projects such as the City of Oshawa’s 3 Point Plan for Youth Employment and Hope, the Town of Ajax’s Up Next Ajax initiative, and a youth employment grant for Ajax Library.

Survey participants can fill out the survey one line with an option to fill out a ballot to win one of several prizes.  The prizes will be drawn once the survey closes in December.

To fill out the survey, click here: http://fluidsurveys.com/s/durhamunder30/

Apprenticeship: Your future starts today!

February 4, 2016 3:20 pm Leave a Comment

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is designed to give youth (16 and over, with at least 16 high school credits) the opportunity to learn about working in the trades and start their apprenticeship while finishing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

This program was developed to encourage youth who enjoy a challenge, the hands on opportunity to learn about working in the trades.  This is a viable career option with a huge need, according to the Province by 2025 almost 40% of all occupations will be in the skill trades, and we will have a skilled labour shortage of 1.2 million.

Unlike a college or university program where most graduates leave school with loans to pay off, as an apprentice you will be paid while learning.  That is not to say that apprenticeships are without costs, there is an annual cost of $60 (free for OYAP students until they graduate) with the College of Trades, between $400-$600 per course for Trade School Registration (typically 2-3 courses per apprenticeship), and a fee of $150 to write your Certificate of Qualification.  However, as a result of the demand for skilled trades people in Ontario there are a number of financial incentives for apprentices offered through the government which helps to offset these costs.

Depending on the trade chosen, your apprenticeship can take from 1-5 years to complete, but while you are working on finishing your apprenticeship you will be gaining valuable on the job skills and establishing relationships in your field which can lead to opportunities going forward.  Although not all trades require an OSSD, like any other employment sector it is strongly advised and an apprentice might be overlooked without this qualification.

If this is an opportunity you might be considering please visit the OYAP website or speak with your guidance officer for steps to including this in your educational experience.

 

DWA’s Youth Survey will help get youth back to work

October 10, 2013 7:02 pm Leave a Comment

In today’s economy things are tough so job seekers need an edge to gain a foothold in the marketplace.

The Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) wants to help, especially youth between the ages of 15 and 24. The organization is conducting a Youth Survey designed to address employment issues of young workers.

The survey is easy to complete online by going to  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/durhamyouthsurvey

It asks a series of 38 questions about you such as your level of education, job status, what types of employment you’re seeking, what skill sets you possess and whether or not you’re aware of youth services and programs in Durham Region. It takes about 20 minutes to fill out and for your time DWA will be making a draw for an iPad. Anyone who fills out the survey is automatically entered into the draw.

“The DWA and its community partners want to ensure that we address our youth unemployment issue, and the first step in understanding is to seek feedback from our youth.  The survey results will be shared widely and be used to make future programming recommendations,” said DWA Executive Director Heather McMillan.

A recent DWA labour market plan measuring unemployment for three months, October to December 2012 found youth unemployment was 4.5 times that of all other unemployment. The unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 to 24, Oshawa CMA in December 2012, was a startling 23 per cent, the overall unemployment rate for the same CMA was 6.2 per cent. Toronto’s youth unemployment was slightly better at 15 per cent.

It’s vital to reverse this trend as Durham Region’s youth play a key role in the region’s economic success today and in the future.

In an interview with www.durhamregion.com Maralyn Tassone, executive director for Durham Region Unemployed Help Centre, said young people have to start making money in order to buy houses, cars and essentially drive Durham’s economy.

“If we don’t have young people who are actually getting jobs with a reasonable wage … I shudder to think what’s going to happen to Canada’s economy,” she said.

For more information about the Youth Survey or the other work DWA is involved in visit http://www.durhamwa.ca

Durham Youth Survey

June 11, 2013 4:18 pm Leave a Comment

Oshawa – When the Durham Workforce Authority produced its annual labour market plan, the youth unemployment numbers for Durham Region were staggering.

‘We fully expected that our youth unemployment numbers would fall in line with trends found in Toronto and the province.” Said DWA Executive Director Heather McMillan, “It was shocking to discover that youth unemployment for three months – October to December 2012 – were a steady increase; seeing the most increase at 4.5 times that of all other unemployment.

The net effect of youth unemployment in Durham results in wasted capacity. The unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 to 24, Oshawa CMA in December 2012, was a startling 23 per cent, the overall unemployment rate for the same CMA was 6.2 per cent. Toronto’s youth unemployment was slightly better at 15 per cent.

To ensure Durham’s prosperity and curb out-migration of prime working populations, initiatives must be explored to increase labour market attachment of Durham’s youth population.  The DWA in its consultation with local youth organizations discovered a need to undertake a survey of Durham youth to better understand their programming needs.

The survey is currently live and the DWA will be attending community events to reach out to youth to participate in the survey.  Also, the survey will be available on line, to participate in the survey, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/durhamyouthsurvey

“The DWA and its community partners want to ensure that we address our youth unemployment issue, and the first step in understanding is to seek feedback from our youth.  The survey results will be shared widely and be used to make future programming recommendations.” Said McMillan.