Canadian Policy Research Networks began the Pathways project in an attempt to shed more light on the paths young people take through school to the labour market and on the institutional and policy arrangements and values that support or hinder successful pathways. Through this project they hope to develop policy options that would improve young people's ability to identify, select and navigate pathways that lead to rewarding and productive lives. This is the eighth study that has been published in the series.

This particular paper focuses on "demand-side" issues in the youth labour market, how employer demand is conveyed to students and those who support them, and how well the skills that young people gain are utilized on the job.This report is based on a literature review, analyses of survey data and key informant interviews. It includes an executive summary, introduction, methodology section, listing of key websites and the following main chapters:
- The Use and Limitations of Occupational Projections
- Skill Utilization and Skill Development in the Workplace
- The Role of Employers in the School-to-Work Transition
- Policy Implications and Research Gaps