Government of Canada helps post-secondary graduates in Montréal gain
career-related experience
MONTREAL, Oct. 12 /CNW Telbec/ - Post-secondary education graduates will get an opportunity to enhance and develop their employment skills through a Fondation Ressources-Jeunesse project sponsored by the Government of Canada. The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for Quebec, 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 Paradis. "Our government is proud to support projects that offer post-secondary graduates the opportunity to develop the skills and gain the experience that will help them reach their full potential."
The Fondation Ressources-Jeunesse will receive $58,000 in Career Focus funding to support its work experience project, which will help 10 recent post-secondary graduates apply the skills they acquired through their education.
"The purpose of this project is to help the region's post-secondary graduates acquire skills through enriching and meaningful work experience," said Ms. Francine Giguère, Executive Director of the Fondation Ressources-Jeunesse. "This project will help them find a job related to their career choice or motivate them to continue their education."
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.
Career Focus 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 this commitment 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 Career Focus 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.
This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
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The Fondation Ressources-Jeunesse is a non-profit organization founded in 1979. Its mission is to help unemployed youth find lasting employment and to empower them to manage their career. From September 7, 2010, to March 4, 2011, participants in the organization's work experience project will develop an individual action plan, as well as take part in workshops that will allow them to acquire personal and job-related skills such as time management, teamwork and interview preparation. They will also be able to familiarize themselves with the workplace through a job placement.
As part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, the Career Focus 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 Skills Link.
Career Focus links highly skilled, post-secondary youth with potential employers who can provide them with career-related work experience and help them acquire advanced employment skills to facilitate their transition into the rapidly changing labour market.
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
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