I'm a pragmatist, not an idealist, so I suspect we couldn't get it into all federal programs. When I think of some of the youth internship programs that were typically sponsored by what used to be Industry Canada, which encouraged young people to get involved in technology, there was a program that worked with the non-profit sector. While we created employment, we were also doing career development skills. However, that was never mandatory. I think there is a lot of money flowing into work programs that don't require a genuine, detailed approach to career development.
It's particularly important for young people, but it would also be true for people who are older and who are trying to re-engage in the workforce. It's not just about giving people a job; it's about giving them the skills they need, often the soft skills, to know how to go to work every day, to know how to show up on time, to know what is appropriate business etiquette. These things are not necessarily second nature to everyone.
I would really like to see a strong emphasis on far more career development, which is why I've recommended that there be a round table of non-profit leaders who can speak more fully to this aspect and work with the federal government to see where the real opportunities are.
I certainly don't have all the answers now. I do know that it's a real weakness in the work that we're doing and that we need to be able to get much better at doing that.