The only thing less attractive to an employer than a 16-year-old with a crummy education, no experience and underdeveloped work habits is a 24-year-old with a crummy education, no experience and underdeveloped work habits.

FORBES: How Congress Wages An Economic Race War

The country's historic "points system, " in which the government selected immigrants based on a set of broad skills such as education, work experience and language, has not worked very well in choosing immigrants who succeed in the job market.

CNN: What Canada can teach GOP on immigration

When I get paid as an attorney, my worth is based on a number which takes into consideration my level of education, my level of experience and the hours that I work.

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This charity has campaigned to improve the quality of careers education, highlighting the link between social mobility and access to career advice and work experience.

BBC: Teenagers' 'mismatched' job ambitions