Y2E Project

Findings, Reports & Outcomes

1. Y2E Project Primary Research Report  (Jan. 09)
2. Y2E Project Interim Report: Looking Up, Looking Forward (April 09)
3. Y2E Final Report (Sept. 09)
4. Y2E Final Report: Complete Bibliography (Sept. 09)
5. The Y2E Framework: Greater Halifax Priority Youth Employment Strategy (Sept.09)
6. Research Findings and Discussion

Research Methods, Audiences and Activities

Project Participants

The target audience for the Y2E project included Sector Councils; large and small businesses throughout Greater Halifax; service providers with youth employment focused programs; municipal, provincial and federal government bodies; educational institutions or organizations providing a learning environment; and priority youth.

Steering Committee

Research began with the mobilization of a Steering Committee with representatives drawn from industry, community service providers, youth, and government. Founded to access partners’ experience, knowledge and local networks, members supported the direction of research, assisted with the interpretation of information, made recommendations for consultations, and assisted with the model development.

Over the course of 15 Steering Committee meetings, membership changed to draw on the necessary grassroots expertise. Project materials were distributed via a communication hub. Members had access to the site to share files, coordinate tasks, manage their meeting documents and discuss research topics and findings.

Activities   

• A communications strategy was developed to promote the project and engage key stakeholders. Promotional and print collateral included project fact sheets, a flash-drive offering project information, posters, web pages, and event materials. A final framework visual is under development.
• A website was developed and maintained over the life of the project. Results of research and consultations were regularly posted and a web based searchable directory was developed to provide a list of service providers, facilities and services in Greater Halifax as they related to priority youth. A collaboration site – youth2employers.ning.com – was created to allow for stakeholder input directly to employment models and World Café discussion topics.
• A primary research survey was developed and administered to employers, service providers and youth in order to determine labour concerns, barriers and challenges as well as attitudes and experiences within each stakeholder group. The survey results provided the introductory information for detailed primary consultations.
• Secondary research included internet research, phone calls, literature reviews, site visits and consultations with stakeholders. These provided an extensive review of youth and employer workplace connections, best practices, innovative ideas and effective approaches.
• Consultations were held with community stakeholders and key employers experiencing labour shortages in order to determine current issues, approaches and opportunities for viable solutions. Service providers and job developers, employment specialists as well as educators were consulted to determine their current approaches, challenges and recommended framework elements. Similarly, youth working with service providers were consulted during focus groups and a Youth & Employer Forum. Here, youth had the opportunity to have a voice, raise their concerns and provide input to the framework ensuring that their needs and priorities were taken into account and addressed.
• A Tri-World Café gathered new and previous project participants. They were asked to review three model possibilities for the Greater Halifax framework. In advance of the World Café, participants received a summary report identifying research to date, trends, challenges, opportunities, best practices etc. All event participants had access to the Y2E website as well as the youth2employers.ning.ca collaboration site.
• A Final World Café, explored the most effective strategies for making the workplace connection and supporting priority youth and employers. Details identified from the Tri-World Café and earlier research elements were drafted into one employment framework. This final focus group of employers, service providers and youth provided input into the framework and tools.
• The Y2E Framework is Greater Halifax’s Priority Youth Employment strategy and was constructed reflecting local stakeholders interests and aspirations.