Are we preparing our youth for today’s real world? You decide.
By Sharon Graham.
The world of work is changing dramatically. It is becoming increasingly evident that there is a profound mismatch between the Canadian labour market and career opportunities for new entrants. Our youth are encountering seemingly insurmountable challenges in career decision-making, career development, and long-term career growth. We call this the “youth disconnect.”
As a Canadian Career Practitioner, you need to be informed and prepared to provide meaningful support and services to your clients. Career Professionals of Canada’s Experienced Practitioners Mastermind Group has done the research and selected the following resources to help you delve deeper into the topic. Read these resources and think about the possibilities for your current clients and our future generations. Ask yourself these questions:
- What will it take for youth to succeed in today’s labour market?
- How can you help your clients prepare better for the world of work?
- What is your role in bringing awareness and helping resolve the youth disconnect?
Generation Jobless | CBC Doc Zone (45-Minute Video)
A University degree no longer assures a good job, good pay and a comfortable life. The unemployment rate for young people in this country is close to 15% – double that of the general population. But the real crisis is the increasing number of university and college grads who are underemployed. WATCH THE SHOW
Canada lagging behind Australia in youth employment | Canadian Business
Canada and Australia have a great deal in common, from Queen Elizabeth II to commodity exports. Like Canada, Australia is also concerned about youth unemployment. Australia’s record on youth unemployment, however, is far stronger than Canada’s. READ MORE
Your College Major Is a Minor Issue, Employers Say | Wall Street Journal
College students, here’s a tip: Your major doesn’t matter as much as you think. So says a new survey by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, in READ MORE
Skip the MBA: 3 Reasons Why You Should Get Real-World Experience Instead | LinkedIn
The CEO of HootSuite dropped out of business school. He believes that it was one of the best decisions he ever made. It was real-world experience in business that led him every step of the way—not an expensive college degree. READ MORE
An A+ student regrets his grades | The Globe and Mail
The purpose and meaning of education is widely misunderstood and wrongly presented. We have a culture that revolves around textbooks, lectures, GPAs and exams, where failing or not doing well are either unacceptable or wrongly considered a sign of weakness or a lack of intellect.” READ MORE
Hackschooling Makes Me Happy: Logan LaPlante at TEDxUniversityofNevada | TED Talk (11-Minutes)
What do you want to be when you grow up? When 13-year-old Tahoe native Logan LaPlant takes the stage for his TEDx talk at the University of Nevada, what follows are 11 minutes of eloquent, confident wisdom on his style of education, which he calls “hackschooling.” WATCH THE TED TALK
The gap between our workforce’s oldest and youngest employees has never been wider. With each generation elbowing the competition for a seat at the table, it’s no wonder that they don’t always see eye-to-eye. READ MORE
Want to learn what you can do to prepare your clients and improve their prospects?
DELVE DEEPER INTO THE YOUTH DISCONNECT
Future Work Skills 2020 | Institute for the Future
Global connectivity, smart machines, and new media are just some of the drivers reshaping how we think about work, what constitutes work, and the skills we will need to be productive contributors in the future. This report analyzes key drivers that will reshape the landscape of work and identifies key work skills needed in the next 10 years. SUMMARY MAP (GIF) | FULL REPORT (19-Page PDF) |
Thank you to the Experienced Practitioners Mastermind Group Members for doing the research and providing this list of resources for Career Practitioners:
- Sharon Graham, Facilitator
- Maureen McCann
- Maureen Farmer
- Wayne Pagani
- Kevin Schafer
- Adrienne Tom
- Carrie Wakeford
- Daisy Wright
Learn how to join a Mastermind Mentoring Group facilitated by Career Professionals of Canada and get professional development throughout the year.