That's a relatively late age for people to start contemplating what their future career may be. This suggests, I think, and we have heard it from others, that there are significant barriers to entering apprenticeships.
Mr. Reiser, you spoke to conversations with the manufacturers and exporters on the challenges SMEs have, from an employer perspective, in terms of offering apprenticeships. I certainly appreciate those.
I think there are also a number of barriers potential apprentices face in wanting to enter apprenticeship programs. I'm hoping that as a committee, we will look at both sides of that equation.
Mr. Reiser, again, you spoke about EI and the challenges the current EI system imposes on apprentices with respect to getting money in a timely fashion. We've certainly talked a lot on this committee about how processing times have now increased rather than decreased and that we've added to rather than reduced the challenges.
I wonder whether all of you might comment on what you think is the most pressing issue we as legislators need to address to make apprenticeships attractive and tenable for young Canadians. Come at it from the apprentice side and tell me what your number one recommendation would be that we need to look at. Thank you.