A youth focus group targeting youth aged 16 to 30 was held in the Grosse-Ile community conference room on Wednesday, April 27, to better understand the current employment issues facing youth in the region. The Société d`aide au développement de la collectivité des Iles-de-la-Madeleine (SADC) is currently conducting a study in order to identify and understand the needs and challenges of youth with regards to employment and labour market integration on the Magdalen Islands. In partnership with CEDEC Magdalen Islands, the SADC conducted an Anglophone youth focus group to better understand the local youth situation.
A round table discussion took place with ten Anglophone youth voicing their present concerns regarding employment and integrating in the Magdalen Islands job market. Issues concerning education, language training, gender, employment insurance, the fishing industry and entrepreneurship were discussed in order to collect information based on the feelings and opinions of youth.
The data collected from a survey and from the youth focus group will be compiled into a report in the up-coming months. The report will then be forwarded to various organizations and government departments, in hopes of ameliorating the current situation.
