October 20, 1999

To: Community Services Committee

From: Commissioner, Community and Neighbourhood Services

Subject: Mayor's Youth Employment Summit: Final Report

Purpose:

This report provides a status report on follow-up activities that have resulted from The Mayor's Youth Employment Summit and summarizes the outcomes from the Mayor Mel's Youth Employment Initiative.

Financial Implications:

There are no financial implications for City funds.

Recommendations:

"It is recommended that:

(1) This report be received for information."

Background:

Youth unemployment has been identified as a significant issue in the City of Toronto. In April 1998, the Mayor called for a Youth Employment Summit to bring together more than one hundred and fifty representatives of business, government, youth and youth service agencies. The theme of the one-day summit was "Count me in!", a challenge to Toronto's business community to become more involved in creating solutions to high levels of youth unemployment.

Participants at the Youth Employment Summit identified a range of factors that have contributed to persistently high levels of youth unemployment and underemployment in Toronto in the 1990's.

Two significant initiatives have resulted from the Mayor's Youth Employment Summit. Mayor Mel's Youth Employment Initiative and the development of a Youth Employment Information Clearinghouse, are discussed within the context of this document. On January 27, 1999, a report entitled "Mayor's Youth Employment Summit - Status Report" (Report No.2, Clause No.1) went before Council describing the preliminary outcomes of the summit. At that time, Council was advised that a final report would be provided, to summarize the outcomes of these initiatives.

Comments:

Mayor Mel's Youth Employment Initiative:

Mayor Mel's Youth Employment Initiative was launched July 27, 1998. The program was intended to be a short term one year initiative. The goal was to place between 250 and 500 significantly disadvantaged youth in paid employment. Over a one year period, 412 job placements were realized.

The program was delivered in cooperation with community agencies and the private sector. A total of $1,000,000.00 was made available for wage subsidy and job placement opportunities. The City allocated $200,000.00 toward the program with Federal and Provincial government contributions of $400,000.00 each.

Program infrastructure/administration costs ($182,000.00) were absorbed by the Provincial Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (M.T.C.U.) through the Job Connect program.

Sufficient funds were available to address the needs of youth who could benefit from participating in the program. All interested youth were screened and assessed to determine their level of employability. Severely disadvantaged youth were provided pre-employment services, job placement and supportive counselling follow-up services through Mayor Mel's Program. Less needy youth requiring support were streamed into the Provincial Job Connect program at no cost to the City. This, combined with strong financial support from employers, resulted in some under expenditures in Mayor Mel's Youth Employment Initiative. Program savings were returned to the respective levels of government accordingly.

The wage subsidy program has had a positive impact on the Provincial Job Connect program. The Job Connect service delivery model for 1999 has been enhanced to closely match the approach taken through Mayor Mel's Youth Employment Initiative. Specifically, in 1999 the Job Connect model will allow longer training placements (up to 6 months) and increased flexibility in the use of the subsidy for employers (up to $4,000.00 per participant). This has resulted in a more flexible program with a more focussed and effective use of resources without requiring ongoing City funds.

Attached (Attachment No. 1 - Mayor Mel's Youth Employment Initiative: Final Report) is a detailed review of the outcomes of the initiative.

Youth Employment Information Clearinghouse:

Another key recommendation stemming from the Mayor's Summit on Youth Employment was that accurate and up-to-date information on programs and services be made available to youth and youth serving agencies.

Earlier this year, Human Resources Development Canada (H.R.D.C.) and the M.T.C.U. retained a consultant whose task has been to identify the overall user information needs, as a first step toward developing a comprehensive programs and services data base for the City of Toronto. To date, H.R.D.C. has invested $680,000.00 and M.T.C.U. has invested $25,000.00 in the development of this system.

Community Information Toronto will develop the database and operate as the service provider.

The proposed development of a Youth Employment Information Clearinghouse model is being developed as a specific service component within this larger more comprehensive database. Once operational, the clearinghouse will provide up-to-date accurate information on a wide variety of available programs, services and specialized supports to assist Toronto youth and youth serving agencies.

The City of Toronto has provided "in kind" contributions by supporting community consultations, coordinating user requirements for the various City Departments, providing expertise/advise on database coding and mapping and through staff participation in steering committees.

This initiative is still in the developmental stages, with first stage implementation projected for the year 2000.

Conclusion:

Mayor Mel's Youth Employment Initiative placed youth in lasting jobs, fostered improvements in the provincial Job Connect program and strengthened partnerships among the government, community-based agencies and business sectors.

Enhancements to Job Connect have strengthened the program to the degree that Mayor Mel's Youth Initiatives goals can be achieved without further City involvement.

The Youth Employment Information Clearinghouse, once realized, will provide up-to-date and accurate information with respect to available youth programs and services within the city of Toronto.

Contact:

Heather MacVicar

General Manager, Social Services Division

Telephone: 392-8952

Fax: 392-8931

Email: heather_macvicar@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca

General Manager, Social Services Division

Commissioner, Community and Neighbourhood Services

List of Attachments:

Attachment No. 1 Mayor Mel's Youth Employment Initiative: Final Report