Media Release

National Association Calls Budget 2014 Internship Fund “A Drop in the Bucket.”

“This will help fewer than 1% of post-secondary graduates.”

Tuesday February 11, 2014 – the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE) applauds the government for acknowledging that youth employment is a national challenge, but the newly announced internship program is inadequate, helping fewer than 1% of new post-secondary grads.

Graduates of Canada’s colleges and universities face unacceptable rates of unemployment and underemployment while Canada’s employers report shortages of individuals with the skills they seek. The Government has acknowledged this unacceptable situation in the 2014 Budget, and is offering several initiatives in response, but CACEE is disappointed that funding to address the issue is so limited.

“$40 million will create 3000 paid internships valued at $13 thousand each. Last year, Canada produced nearly half a million college and university graduates. This fund will help fewer than one in one hundred new grads. It is an inadequate response,” according to Paul Smith, CACEE Executive Director. “As Canada’s national network of educators and employers, our members are front line witnesses to the lost potential of unemployed and underemployed youth. The announced initiatives will help, but much more needs to be done.”

About CACEE

CACEE is a national non-profit partnership of employer recruiters and career services professionals. Our mission is to provide professional networking and development opportunities, information, advice, and other services to employers and career service professionals.

For more info contact:

Paul D. Smith

pauls@cacee.com, (613) 634-2359