Government of Canada helps recent graduates in the Kamloops and Nicola region get jobs in high-demand fields

KAMLOOPS, BC, Sept. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), today announced new measures to equip young Canadians in the Kamloops and Nicola region with the skills and work experience needed to get jobs in high-demand fields.

"Our Government is making sure Canada's economy benefits from the talents and skills of young Canadians through measures that help them find training and jobs," said Minister of State Bergen. "We are focused on creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity and these new measures are just one way we are delivering on that promise."

"Our government is committed to creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity across Canada and right here in the Kamloops and Nicola region," said Ms. McLeod. "This investment in TQM Consulting will help youth get the hands-on experience they need to participate and succeed in the job market."

TQM Consulting will receive Government of Canada support through the Career Focus program to help recent post-secondary graduates get hands-on experience. As part of an initiative to connect young Canadians with jobs in high-demand fields, the Government's Youth Employment Strategy is helping over 1 900 youth through projects across Canada in 2013-2014.

Project's participants will gain valuable work experience with employers to help them launch careers in high-demand sectors such as digital technology and health care.

"TQM Consulting is delighted to be partnering with the Government of Canada to connect young post-secondary graduates in the Kamloops and Nicola region with employment opportunities in the private sector," said Don Anderson, Owner, TQM Consulting. "Career Focus provides the perfect opportunity to match these individuals with employers who are eager to capitalize on their talents."

Since 2006, the Career Focus initiative has helped over 26 000 recent post-secondary graduates acquire crucial skills and transition into the job market.

Youth employment programs are part of the Government of Canada's strategy to connect Canadians with available jobs. Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes new measures to equip Canadians with the skills and training they need to fill skills shortages and succeed in the Canadian labour market. These include the Canada Job Grant, which will invest in skills training for unemployed and underemployed Canadians, better ensuring they are qualified to fill the high-quality, well-paying jobs that are available. Economic Action Plan 2013 is also creating opportunities for apprentices and providing support to under-represented groups such as Canadians with disabilities, Aboriginal people, newcomers and youth.

To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit actionplan.gc.ca.

The Government of Canada is helping youth plan their careers, learn new skills and find jobs through enhanced online services available at youth.gc.ca.

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Backgrounder

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The Youth Employment Strategy (YES) is the Government of Canada's commitment to help youth make a successful transition to the workplace.

With annual funding of approximately $300 million, YES helps youth—particularly those facing barriers to employment—obtain career information, develop employment skills, find jobs and stay employed. YES includes the Skills Link and Career Focus programs and the Canada Summer Jobs initiative, which creates thousands of job opportunities for students every summer. Since 2006, the Youth Employment Strategy has helped more than 555 000 young people upgrade their skills, to the benefit of the Canadian economy.

Skills Link helps youth facing barriers to employment—including youth who are single parents, youth with disabilities, young newcomers and youth in rural and remote areas—to develop the skills and gain the experience needed to find a job or the confidence to return to school. Since 2006, the Skills Link initiative has helped over 179 000 youth find better employment or return to school for skills upgrading.

Career Focus provides funding to employers to hire young post-secondary graduates to give them career-related work experience and help them acquire skills to transition into the job market. Since 2006, the Career Focus initiative has helped over 26 000 post-secondary students acquire crucial skills to help them transition into the labour market.

Canada Summer Jobs provides funding to not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to create summer job opportunities for young people aged 15 to 30 years who are full-time students intending to return to their studies in the next school year. The application date for Canada Summer Jobs 2014 will be different than in past years. Applications must be submitted between December 2, 2013, and January 10, 2014. Applications will be available for employers online and at Service Canada Centres beginning December 2, 2013.

SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada

Johanna Quinney
Office of the Minister of State (Social Development)
819-953-2350

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
[email protected]
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This news release is available online at: actionplan.gc.ca.