Improved Services for Youth - Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the enhanced approach to delivering services to youth?

Canadian youth have asked for easier and better online access to services and our government is responding to those needs. We are improving the way we do business to better serve young Canadians.

The enhancements to Youth.gc.ca will provide youth with better access to information and resources. In the coming months, the website will be redesigned to better meet the needs of today’s youth and provide them with a more interactive experience.

2. Why has this new approach been implemented?

Canadian youth have asked for easier and better online access to services and our government is responding to those needs.

Through Service Canada, we strive to make it easier for Canadians to get the information and services they need from government—anytime, anywhere.

As part of the Government’s commitment to being responsive to the changing needs of Canadians, Service Canada is working to improve its service delivery to youth.

3. When will the enhancements be available?

In the coming months, this site will be redesigned to better meet the needs of today’s youth and provide them with a more interactive experience. Information and resources to help youth with their job search, including tips on writing resumés and cover letters, will now be available year-round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at Youth.gc.ca.

In addition, part of the Government of Canada’s innovative Working in Canada website is now available at Youth.gc.ca, providing youth with direct access to current information about jobs. This includes detailed labour market reports customized by occupation and location. Other employment information from Working in Canada — such as job descriptions, wages, skills and education requirements, current opportunities and future forecasted demand — will also be available.

Voice: a blog for youth is already available. It aims to answer questions and help youth find the information and tools they need to reach their goals. As part of this enhanced approach, new features, including the use of social media tools such as Twitter and YouTube, will be integrated into this site in the coming months.

4. What can we expect to see in terms of enhancement of services to youth? What are the next steps?

The Government of Canada is improving the way it does business to better address the needs of today’s youth, including helping them prepare for, find and maintain meaningful employment.

Information and resources to help youth with their job search, including tips on writing resumés and cover letters, will now be available year-round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at Youth.gc.ca. In the coming months, new features, including the use of social media tools such as Twitter and YouTube, will be added to this site to better serve young Canadians.

Service Canada will be engaging with key stakeholders in winter 2012 to seek out their views on the continued enhancements to Youth.gc.ca.

5. What are the new innovative and interactive tools?

The site is being redesigned to meet the needs of today’s youth and provide them with a more interactive experience. Information and resources to help youth with their job search, including tips on writing resumés and cover letters, will now be available year-round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at Youth.gc.ca.

In addition, part of the Government of Canada’s innovative Working in Canada website is now available at Youth.gc.ca, providing youth with direct access to current information about jobs. This includes detailed labour market reports customized by occupation and location. Other employment information from Working in Canada —such as job descriptions, wages, skills and education requirements, current opportunities and future forecasted demand—will also be available.

6. Where can youth go to receive help with their employment needs?

Youth will continue to be able to find information on jobs, careers and career planning at Youth.gc.ca. They can also obtain information from their local high schools, universities and community colleges or through the provincial or territorial department responsible for employment programming where they live.

Like all Canadians, they can also be served by calling 1 800 O-Canada or by going to any Service Canada Centre.

7. I want to hire a youth. Where can I post a job advertisement?

Employers currently looking for information on how to post a student job advertisement can visit jobbank.gc.ca.

They can also visit servicecanada.gc.ca, call 1 800 O-Canada or go to any Service Canada Centre for more information.

8. Will student jobs still be available at Service Canada?

HRSDC and Service Canada, along with other government departments, will continue to hire students, offering them relevant work experience and the opportunity to learn new skills through the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP).

Information about student employment is available on this site. Students interested in working for the Government of Canada, including at HRSDC and Service Canada, must apply to the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP).

For more information on eligibility and how to apply to FSWEP, please visit Youth.gc.ca.

9. How will the Department solicit feedback from stakeholders?

Service Canada will be engaging with key stakeholders in winter 2012 to seek out their views on the continued enhancements to Youth.gc.ca. The Department will work to integrate stakeholder feedback to ensure this site continues to meet the evolving needs of young Canadians.