REGINA, June 27, 2014 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is helping equip young Canadians in Saskatchewan with the skills and work experience needed to get high-quality jobs. Tom Lukiwski, Member of Parliament for Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development).
The Saskatchewan Construction Association is receiving more than $212,000 from the Skills Link program to help 36 youth in Regina, Saskatoon, Weyburn and Prince Albert who face barriers to employment to get the skills and knowledge they need to find jobs. The participants will gain valuable hands-on experience to prepare for jobs in the construction sector.
As Canada is facing labour shortages, the Government is investing in youth employment, skills and apprenticeship programs to help connect young Canadians with available jobs. Through Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government is ensuring that investments in youth employment provide young Canadians with real-life work experience in high-demand fields such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics and the skilled trades.
Quick Facts
- Skills Link is part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy (YES) and has helped over 179,000 youth since 2006.
- The Government of Canada is helping Canadian youth get the skills employers are looking for with the Canada Job Grant, the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and the Apprenticeship Completion Grant. The Government also offers a tax credit to employers to encourage them to hire apprentices and a tax deduction for apprentices and tradesmen to help cover the cost of new tools.
- Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to introduce the Canada Apprentice Loan by expanding the Canada Student Loans program to provide apprentices registered in Red Seal trades with access to over $100 million in interest-free loans each year. At least 26,000 apprentices are expected to apply annually.
Quotes
"Our government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Today's announcement will help youth in Saskatchewan get the skills needed to obtain jobs in today's economy."
- The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development)
"Since 2006, the Government has helped more than half a million young Canadians develop the skills they need to help them succeed in the job market. I am pleased to announce that young Canadians in Saskatchewan will benefit from our initiatives to connect young people with jobs."
- Tom Lukiwski, Member of Parliament for Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre
"The funding from the Government of Canada will be used to help Saskatchewan employers in the construction trades sector respond to labour market needs. The program will give youth a better understanding of training requirements and career opportunities. It will also ease the transition for youth into construction careers by linking training programs with employment and jobs in the sector."
- Doug Folk, Vice-President of Industry Workforce Development, Saskatchewan Construction Association
Associated Links
Backgrounder
Youth Employment Strategy
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 $330 million, YES helps youth 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 develop skills, to the benefit of the Canadian economy. Through Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government of Canada is investing $40 million towards supporting up to 3,000 internships in high-demand fields and $15 million annually towards supporting up to 1,000 internships in small- and medium-sized enterprises through the Youth Employment Strategy.
Post-secondary education
The Government of Canada provides a range of support—including Canada Student Loans, Canada Student Grants, the Canada Learning Bond and the Canada Education Savings Grant—to help young Canadians pursue and save for their post-secondary education, so that they can acquire the skills and training they need to succeed in the job market and in the future economy.
The Canada Learning Bond is $500 deposited into a child's Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) by the Government of Canada. A child may be eligible for another $100 per year up until the age of 15, depending on family income. The maximum amount that a child can receive is $2,000.
Through the Canada Education Savings Grant, the Government adds 20 percent on every dollar parents contribute to an RESP. A child could receive up to $500 a year with this grant, up to a lifetime maximum of $7,200. A child could also receive an additional 10 to 20 percent on the first $500 that is contributed, depending on family income.
SOURCE: Canada's Economic Action Plan
Lauren Brent
Office of the Minister
613-415-5625
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
[email protected]
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