The Government of Canada helps youth in the Regional County Municipality of
Maria-Chapdelaine prepare for jobs

DOLBEAU-MISTASSINI, QC, Nov. 10 /CNW Telbec/ - Local youth who face barriers to employment will get job preparation training and work experience through the Government of Canada's support for an employment project. The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec) and Member of Parliament for Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

"In today's environment, it is more important than ever that youth develop the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market," said Minister of State Lebel. "By supporting this project, we are helping youth in the Regional County Municipality of Maria-Chapdelaine develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential."

The Société de gestion environnementale will receive more than $75,000 in federal Skills Link funding to support its project entitled Équipe Verte, which will help six youth facing employment barriers gain the skills and experience needed to enter the labour market or the confidence to return to school.

Skills Link focuses on helping youth facing barriers to employment, such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young people with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school. 

"Through this funding, we will help youth facing difficulties in the region to reintegrate into society in a constructive manner," said Mr. Harris Minville, Director General of the Société de gestion environnementale. "In addition to helping them develop environmental awareness, the work of these participants will have a long-term impact on the community since they will be beautifying and improving various natural sites."

The federal government is working with the provinces and territories, community organizations and other stakeholders to provide Canadians with the training, skills and opportunities they need to get jobs and contribute to their communities.

Through the 2010 "Jobs and Growth Budget," the Government of Canada committed an additional $60 million to the Skills Link and Career Focus programs. This additional one-time investment will enable more young Canadians to gain the experience and skills they need to successfully participate in the labour market while the economy recovers.

Skills Link is part of the Government of Canada's strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The Government underscored its commitment to this strategy in Canada's Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development. To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

The Skills Link program is delivered by Service Canada, which provides one-stop personalized services for Government of Canada programs, services and benefits. For more information about this program, visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca, call 1 800 O-Canada or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.

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backgrounder

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The Société de gestion environnementale is a non-profit organization specializing in the management, beautification and development of spaces that are social and ecological in nature. In order to improve the quality of life for people in the community, the organization encourages residents of the Regional County Municipality of Maria-Chapdelaine to get involved in concrete environmental actions. From June 14 to November 19, 2010, participants in the Équipe Verte project will attend workshops on functional independence and employability, and will take part in work placements with businesses, through which they will develop skills in financial management and teamwork.

As part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link program is one of three programs that help young Canadians, particularly those facing barriers to employment, obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed. The other two programs are Summer Work Experience and Career Focus.

Skills Link focuses on helping youth facing barriers to employment, such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young people with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school. It offers a client-centred approach based on assessing an individual's specific needs. The program supports youth in developing basic and advanced employment skills. Eligible participants between 15 and 30 years of age who are not receiving Employment Insurance benefits are assisted through a coordinated approach offering longer-term supports and services that can help them find and keep a job.

For further information:

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

For further information (media only):

Michelle Bakos Press Secretary Office of Minister Finley         819-994-2482

Media Relations Office Human Resources and Skills Development Canada 819-994-5559