New jobs boost no help to high youth unemployment, says CAW President

CAW President Ken Lewenza is raising concerns that new jobs created are having no impact on tackling chronically high youth employment.

Lewenza is responding to the latest Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey results, which saw the addition of 12,500 new jobs in April, but a jump in youth unemployment to 14.5 per cent, with the overall unemployment rate remaining the same.

“Government should not allow the economy to limp along at this pace indefinitely – it is a terrible growth and jobs strategy.  Persistently high unemployment in many parts of the country, particularly among young people requires action on the part of government and industry,” said Lewenza in a statement.

“In failing to address the problem of high youth unemployment, we’re turning our back on young people struggling to find jobs, pay for ever escalating tuition costs and just get by,” said Lewenza.

Lewenza said that governments at all levels must address the problem head on and work to implement extensive youth employment plans that focus on good quality, full-time jobs—with targets and measurable results.

Lewenza also raised concern that the first four months of the year has seen a net loss of approximately 13,000 jobs. He said though that he is heartened though by the increase in manufacturing jobs last month to the tune of 20,600 new jobs and expressed hope that the upward trend in manufacturing will continue.