1. We recommend that all provinces/territories develop, implement and adequately finance compulsory career education courses starting at the elementary level.

  2. We recommend that cooperative education be the central component of the transition system. Efforts must be made by all stakeholders to make the present system of cooperative education at the secondary level more structured. All students in the last 2 years of high school should have the opportunity to participate in credit-granting cooperative education programs.

  3. We recommend that local boards provide the structure for community involvement in cooperative education by acting as information clearinghouses for multi way partnerships.

  4. We recommend that cooperative education placements in unionized firms be increased as a result of management-labour discussions during collective bargaining.

  5. We recommend increased communication and cooperation between coordinators of cooperative education programs, teachers, and career counsellors in each school.

  6. We recommend that all of the partners in cooperative education make every effort to integrate the learning experience, so that students clearly see the reciprocal relevance of both learning settings -- the school and the place of work.

  7. We recommend that future teachers be trained in the cooperative education approach as part of the core curriculum at university faculties of education.


Training

In a coherent transition system, training opens up a wide range of new opportunities and career challenges. However, training alone does not create jobs. Policies to promote job creation must be in place so that the economy generates an appropriate number of meaningful jobs.

If Canada is to acquire and maintain a highly skilled labour force, Canadians must take part in a continual process of upgrading, retraining, and lifelong learning. This means that we need a training system that properly identifies training needs, makes appropriate training available and accessible, provides adequate and equitable financial support for trainees, and recognizes skills acquired through training, work, and life experiences.