Job creation strategies must tackle youth unemployment, says CAW President

TORONTO, Dec. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - CAW President Ken Lewenza is calling the drop in youth unemployment a positive sign, but urged government to prioritize tackling chronic joblessness among young workers.

Lewenza was responding to the November Labour Force Survey results released this morning by Statistics Canada that showed a drop in youth unemployment from 14.7 per cent to 14 per cent.

Lewenza said that although the drop in youth unemployment is encouraging, the rate still stands stubbornly high at nearly double the national average of 7.2 per cent.

"The last three years have demonstrated that without action, this problem of youth unemployment will not improve," said Lewenza.

"Young workers are being left behind in our economy and this will have serious ramifications for years to come," said Lewenza. "Governments at all levels must develop strategies alongside industry and unions to take on chronically high levels of youth unemployment. Young workers are among the best educated at any time in our national history - but job prospects are insufferably poor."

"We need a national good jobs strategy for young workers," Lewenza said.

Delegates from across Canada are meeting today and tomorrow for CAW Council, at the Sheraton Centre in downtown Toronto from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom on the Lower Level.

SOURCE: Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW)