Mayoral hopeful Scott Howell wants to bring Yukon youth home.

In a statement issued last Thursday, Howell outlined three proposals to keep youth involved in the city and draw them back to the community after they complete their post-secondary education.

He would bring forward those ideas to the city should he succeed in his run for office in the Oct. 18 municipal election.

"With a bubble of Freedom 55ers coming through, it is time for Whitehorse to look at ways to prepare,” he said in his statement.

"This is an opportunity for Whitehorse to accomplish three major initiatives at once.”

The first concept he brought forward would see changes to a program geared to keeping Yukon students prior to their post-secondary education, similar to the goal of the Yukon government's grad corp program.

One of a number of committees would be set up to develop a long-term program for students which could see:

• an extra segment to the city's website would allow access to Yukon students so they could see where there may be job openings at the city in the future;

• students better able to manage what direction they move in in their post-secondary education; and

• offering internship programs for students in the off-season that would see them work directly with those getting ready to retire from the city.

"The end result would be a) a smoother transition phase; b) placement of Yukon talent in critical Yukon roles; and c) a huge cash savings in the recruitment and relocation of staff,” he noted.

In an interview this morning, Howell noted there are a lot of Whitehorse residents who don't return to the city after their post-secondary education.

With many opportunities Outside, Howell suggested the city needs to make clear the opportunities that exist in Whitehorse as well before students head out to school.

Another committee Howell is proposing would focus on a variety of issues young people in the city are facing.

Howell said he would like to see the Yukon government, Association of Yukon Communities and the city work together to form a committee made up of all students' councils as well as a select group of university representatives.

"By actively accessing information, from involved participants, the City of Whitehorse will better be able to assist in development of youth programming,” he said.

"This would, in turn, ensure that youth are well-prepared to meet the challenges of a changing world.”

Finally, a committee focused on user groups would allow the various organizations that make use of the city facilities to take an active development role together.

It could also see "several large-scale, top-quality events to raise, substantially, more money than might normally be seen from smaller fund-raisers.”

That could in turn make user fees more managable, enhance participation by making it less cost-prohibitive, enhance programming and lead to advanced managerial training for the non-profit groups.

The training, Howell continued, would promote fund-raising and awareness of where dollars could be found, ensure leadership efficiency and lead to less burnout among executive.

This morning, Howell said that while the statement on his Facebook page has been "liked” once, he's heard from a number of young people who say his ideas are refreshing, noting they are seldom consulted on such matters.

"They just want to be included,” he said of young Whitehorse residents.

As for whether there will be enough interest to get people to serve on the various committees, Howell admitted he is unsure.

"I have no idea,” he said with a laugh, noting all he can do is put the proposals out there, then let people respond.

His hope, he stressed, is to get young Whitehorse residents involved early and keep them involved.