Implementing YDAY P.E.I. suggestions for youth services
“YDAY helps us make effective recommendations to government that reflect the thoughts of young Islanders. This has already opened the door for conversations regarding housing, retention and employment opportunities, with even more to come.” Nicole Mountain
The provincial government has begun implementing or expanding some of its programs after hearing from Island youth through events like YDAY.
P.E.I.’s Youth Futures Council organizes the annual YDAY P.E.I. event and advises government on ways to enhance programs, policies, strategies and resources for youth.
“YDAY helps us make effective recommendations to government that reflect the thoughts of young Islanders,” said Youth Futures Council member Nicole Mountain.
“This has already opened the door for conversations regarding housing, retention and employment opportunities, with even more to come.”
Several youth-focused initiatives have been started or are being expanded, including an expansion of the Graduate Mentorship Program to support 275 young people with job placements so far this fiscal year, the creation of the Career Connect program, which is helping more than 800 university students receive Employment Insurance benefits while studying, and the expansion of the Community Service Bursary, with 200 students participating annually and about $300,000 provided over the last three years.
New initiatives underway thanks to advice from Island youth include surveying Islanders living away on how to help them move back to the province and expanding the Team Seafood program to create Farm Team P.E.I., a work experience and bursary program for high school students working in the food sector. Also underway is enhancing experiential education and work-integrated learning at UPEI, revamping the student business program to meet the evolving needs of youth starting a business and facilitating a discussion with entrepreneurial organizations to develop a mentoring program for new businesses.
The Youth Futures Council will soon present its findings and recommendations to the Learning Partners Advisory Council to provide feedback to leaders in education in P.E.I.
The YDAY PEI 2017 report — a summary of recommendations and next steps from the Youth Futures Council — is available at www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/youthfutures-council.