SUFA Initiative (2002)

General Information

Department

Human Resources Development Canada

Partners

Youth Internship Canada is part of the Youth Employment Strategy

Businesses, organizations, individuals, public health and educational institutions

Effective Date

April 1, 1998

Expiry Date

March 31, 2005

Web Site

http://youth.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca This web site is HRDC's National Youth Site.

Purpose

To assist out-of-school, or unemployed or underemployed youth in preparing for, obtaining and maintaining employment, and in making a successful transition into the labour market by enabling them to acquire the knowledge and work experience necessary.

Roles and Contributions

Delivery of program primarily through third party organisations, typically as employers. The Government of Canada provides contribution funds in support of participant's remuneration and overhead costs.

HRDC's roles and contributions are publicly communicated through the local Human Resource Canada Centres and the Youth website at http://youth.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca.

Resources

Funding

Youth Internships Canada

2000-01: $63.0 M; 2001-02: $59.0 M; 2002-03: $47.3 M

Tracking and Reporting

Information about Youth programming is tracked through internal departmental systems; the reporting of results is part of the overall Employment Programs Branch (EPB) accountability structure with client results documented within internal systems. Sponsor level tracking is also documented.

Aggregate financial information is publicly reported in the Departmental Performance Report http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/menu/pub.shtml and Public Accounts http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca/recgen/text/pub-acc-e.html.

Measurement and Reporting

Outcomes

Key outputs include the number of interventions completed, employment action plans initiated and completed.

Outcomes are linked to program objectives, that is, to assist youth in preparing for, obtaining and maintaining employment, and in making a successful transition into the labour market, e.g., numbers employed or returned to school.

Performance is measured and monitored on an on-going basis through logic model, performance measurement strategy and program evaluation process as part of the Results-Based Management and Accountability Framework for Youth Employment Programs

Indicators

At present, indicators used are "number of youth returned to school" and "number of youth employed".

For Youth at Risk, the number of clients who have completed an intervention, and have an employment action plan as an intricate part of results-based accountability.

The role of partners has been highlighted as key to client success and also forms part of the results-based accountability framework.

Additional indicators are being developed to track changes to employment situation over a longer period of time, or track client progression to the labour market, and to capture the involvement of communities and partners within the newly developed results-based accountability framework.

Information about Youth programming is tracked through internal departmental systems; the reporting of results is part of the overall Employment Programs Branch (EPB) accountability structure with client results documented within internal systems. Sponsor level tracking is also documented.

Comparable Indicators

Program uses societal indicators to provide context to its performance, such as the national youth unemployment rate. However, there is no defined set of societal indicators that will be continually used or monitored on a regular basis.

Evaluation / Thrid Party Assessments

There is an ongoing evaluation framework associated with the Youth Initiatives, which has been in place since the beginning of the program.

There have been two evaluations conducted since 1998. They are the Youth Internship Canada Formative and Summative evaluations. These evaluations have been carried out by HRDC's Evaluation and Data Development, and are publicly available through the HRDC website at http://www11.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/edd-pdf/yes.pdf. A third evaluation, which is a follow up to the Summative, is in process.

Each year since 1997 (that is 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000) an assessment of participants in program has been conducted by COMPAS Research. These assessment reports follow the program participants once a year for three years.

Has also been part of department-wide assessment strategy and Program Management Initiative.

Shared Information and Best Practices

Youth Programming in general has been the subject of a "Lessons Learned" review -- "The Effectiveness Employment-Related Programs for Youth: Lessons Learned from Past Experience", available through HRDC's Evaluation and Data Development site: http://www11.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/edd/lessons.list

Public Reporting

Reports to the public (and Parliament) through various vehicles – through the Departmental Performance Report, the Internet and other published information about the program.

By example, public information about individual grants and contributions programs is available at http://www18.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/

Involving Canadians

Provisions for Citizens to Participate in Developing Social Priorities and Reviewing Outcomes

HRDC currently involves Canadians through the regular evaluation process – that is, through client surveys, third party evaluations, meetings with partners who deliver the program.

Feedback Mechanisms to the Public

http://youth.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/common/contct.shtml This web page offers an opportunity for the public to send feedback. This web site can also be accessed from the home page by clicking on the icon that reads "Contact Us".

Correspondence and 1-800 telephone number are alternative methods for the public to send feedback. The public as well as organizations and community groups can also contribute to local Human Resources Canada Centres business planning.

Service Commitments

Public Availability of Eligibility Criteria

Information regarding the Youth Internship Program is available at local Human Resource Canada Centres and on the internet at http://youth.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/programs/yic.shtml, publications such as Youth Link, 1-800, etc.

Existence and Availability of Service Commitments

No specific service commitments for youth programming as income support to youth is paid through the sponsoring organisations.

The local Human Resource Canada Centres have posted service standards.

Measurement and Public Reporting

N/A

Appeals and Complaints

Existence, Availability and Communication of Mechanisms

Local Human Resource Canada Centres have acted as a conduit for complaints on an informal, case-by-case basis.

HRDC does not currently have a special appeals and complaints process for Youth Internship Canada. In addition, this program is based on discretionary funding and is largely delivered through third parties.

Tracking and Public Reporting

N/A

Mobility

Existence of Measure

There are no minimum residency requirements for participants in the Youth Internship Canada program.