- The education system provides no standard mechanism for measuring student
performance and comparing it across the country. This lack of a defined standard
results in inconsistent educational attainment and performance of students across
provinces and territories. Employers cannot be assured that the individual hired will
have the skills required to function effectively in the workplace.
- Counselling is critical to an effective transition into employment. Unfortunately and
too frequently, counsellors at educational institutions have inadequate skills to give
students sound advice on careers and employment. There is a gap between public
education institutions and the world of work.
- Governments spend a disproportionate amount of money on general post-secondary
education and not enough on technical and vocational training that is more closely
linked to specific occupations.
Public training system
In 1993-94, the federal government plans to spend about $3.7 billion on employment,
training and adjustment programs, and services: $1.9 billion under the Unemployment
Insurance Developmental Uses (UIDU) program; $1.5 billion from consolidated revenue
funds; $0.3 billion from the UI account on employment and adjustment services. Yet the
business community is generally unhappy with the effectiveness of the public training
system. Some of the reasons for their concern
- According to GECD statistics, Canadian governments spend disproportionate
resources (compared with other industrialized countries) to support people who are
not working -- through UI benefits and social assistance programs -- and little on
training and skills development.
- Many business people believe that the lack of standards (occupational, skill sets,
training) leads to inconsistency in the skills and abilities that are required to function
in the workplace and that it adds to the cost of hiring.
- There are no concrete measures or indicators that provide evidence of the
effectiveness of public training programs for the unemployed, such as UIDU.