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This Community Perspective Series document includes statements about young people in the new economy of Toronto made by three participants in the October 2000 annual general meeting of the Toronto Training Board. "A Hitchhiker's Guide to the New Economy" (Olivia Chow) suggests that training programs available to young people are fragmented and rarely comprehensive. She says that in order to position disadvantaged youth at the same level as advantaged youth, a well-funded, integrated training system that develops an awareness of the increased competitiveness of the workforce and the importance of postsecondary education is necessary. "Youth and the New Economy: A Joint Venture" (Pratibha Thadani) focuses on youth employment issues for disadvantaged youth, including minorities and the disabled. Thadani describes several programs that build students' self-confidence and self-marketing and interpersonal skills, provide career counseling, and foster a transfer of the skills, knowledge, and value systems that employers demand in the marketplace. "The Cost of Change" (Jonathan Bennett) describes the following three misconceptions about youth in the new economy: (1) all youth have an innate and intuitive understanding of technology; (2) all youth have access to today's technology; and (3) all youth want careers in the field of information technology. Without an adequate education and training, new technologies are not relevant to young people. (Contains a French version.) (MO)

This Community Perspectives Series document includes statements about the new economy in Toronto made by four participants in a March 2001 forum. The new economy was defined by the moderator as "an economy that emphasizes knowledge and technical processes put to the production of goods and other outputs so that an individual's knowledge is viewed as a factor in determining economic productivity.""Access Diminished: A Report on Women's Training and Employment Services in Ontario" (Karen Lior) describes how legislation and funding decreases that have resulted in a fragmentation of services and the lack of commitment of the business community to an active role in training have resulted in decreased opportunities for women and their families. "The Temporary Economy" (Deena Ladd) suggests that the flexibility touted as a positive result of the new economy results in a lack of stability that means low-paying, temporary jobs for many workers. "Preparing Ourselves for the New Economy" (Karen Lawson) suggests that women must become technologically savvy in order to take advantage of opportunities in the new economy. "The Young and the Enterprising" (Sandra Tam) presents some of the issues facing young workers in the new economy and describes school-to-work transitions that can help at-risk youth. (Contains a French version.) (MO)