The Ontario government recently launched its Youth Jobs Strategy to help more young people find jobs or start their own businesses, while helping employers find skilled workers.

“Ontario youth are talented, capable and ready to put their world-class educations to work,” said Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Economic Development. “We're partnering with employers, educators, labour and non-profits to ensure that our economy benefits from the full participation of our young people. It's important not only for our youth today, but for the future economic success of our province.”

Ontario's youth is constantly facing high unemployment rates. As of January 2013, 16.5 per cent of people between the ages of 15 and 24 were unemployed. The government is allotting $295 million over two years into the Youth Jobs Strategy, which aims to help unemployed youth find jobs, create 30,000 new jobs for youth.

The money will be split between four different programs:

The Ontario Youth Employment Fund will provide hiring incentives to employers, connecting skilled but unemployed youth with job opportunities in their fields.

The Ontario Youth Entrepreneurship Fund will support young entrepreneurs through financing and coaching.

The Ontario Youth Innovation Fund will help youth find employment opportunities in industrial research, development and commercialization. It will connect science grads with research opportunities in their field.

The Business-Labour Connectivity and Training Fund will bring together business, labour and educators to identify and develop youths' innovation and collaboration skills.

“It's essential that more young people acquire the skills and problem- solving abilities they need to succeed in the new economy,” said Linda Franklin, the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario. “The government's announcement recognizes the importance of promoting a highly skilled and innovative workforce.”

For more information on these programs, check out ontario.ca.