During the Prince Edward Island provincial dialogue, participants spent some time discussing workforce-related challenges and possible opportunities for action. These included challenges faced by vulnerable groups such as youth, immigrants, and persons with disabilities. In addition, participants discussed the importance of succession planning, and the contribution of older workers in this regard. Finally, they explored issues of poverty and literacy, the role of employers in workforce development, and issues relating to employment standards.

The following presents a summary of the key points raised by participants throughout the dialogue.

4.1 Youth

With respect to youth's participation in the workforce, participants emphasized the importance of career development and discussed the question of youth out-migration. As one participant put it: "youth is our greatest export," a tendency that could only be reversed through the creation of quality and meaningful employment for youth (especially those who are highly qualified). Their key concerns included:

• Career development: participants noted the need to ensure youth are equipped (with information, support, guidance counsellors, role models, etc.) to make informed choices about their career path, and that they had the required mix of skills, training and experience required for them to successfully carve out their place in the labour market. In particular, participants noted that too many youth lacked important basic life (e.g., how to work in a team) and literacy skills. In addition, participants noted that youth generally "don't want to work like crazy like their parents did" - that they have a different sense of work and different priorities.
• Out-migration: attendees suggested that many youth leave the Island to pursue their studies, but return home for the summer, with most of them taking jobs in seasonal industries (e.g., tourism, hospitality, service sector). This, participants felt, was a lost opportunity to create better ties between youth and potential future employers.

On the question of out-migration, participants stated that a large proportion of out-migrants were male - a situation which is not new, but which they felt was now more difficult to bear for those who stay behind given that there are fewer family supports available today.