Business groups and the provincial government are working together on a new program to help attract young people to, and retain them in, the Saskatchewan workplace.

The Youth Friendly Workplace Designation program is designed to help link young people seeking employment with employers. The program will also highlight the availability of jobs to young people in the province to encourage them to remain here.

The initiative is a partnership of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and Saskatchewan Industry and Resources.

“Saskatchewan has a booming economy, with many opportunties and jobs for young people,” Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. “There are many businesses eager to tap into the creativity and energy of our next generation of workers, and the Youth Friendly designation will be both a ‘welcome’ sign and a mark of excellence for those businesses and workers.”

“Growing Saskatchewan businesses are demanding more labour, which means that there are many jobs available to youth,” Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce President Ralph Boychuk said. “Connecting employers to youth seeking employment is good for the economy because it gives businesses access to the valuable resources youth provide. The Chamber is proud to support this initiative as a means of bridging the divide, and giving businesses the opportunity to help young people become active in the economy.”

For employers, the program will assist in encouraging young employees to work for them, and help them create workplaces that are attractive to young people.

For young people, the program will highlight employers who have suitable workplaces, and encourage them to make careers and homes here in Saskatchewan.

Designated employers will be allowed to carry the program’s logo on their businesses and websites. The businesses will also be posted on the program website.

Jobs on www.sasknet-work.ca will highlight those advertised by a designated employer.

The Regina and Region Home Builders Association is piloting the program and as such will be the first organization to promote the designation program to its members.