Youth facing barriers to employment benefit from skills development workshops, career training and employment opportunities
SHERBROOKE, QC, Aug. 23, 2017 /CNW/ - Building a strong middle class means giving Canada's youth the tools they need to find and keep good jobs.
Today, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced new projects that will allow Quebec youth to develop new skills and get work experience.
Thanks to almost $2 million in funding through the Career Focus and Skills Link programs, up to 160 youth will benefit from two projects delivered by Actions interculturelles. Participants will include newcomers and young people born in Quebec. One project will help post-secondary graduates gain more experience in their field of study, to help them transition to the labour market, and to keep a good job. If participants wish, they can also receive help to further their education. The other project will help youth develop essential skills for interviews, job-searching and networking. The youth will also have opportunities for paid work experience in manufacturing, mechanical engineering, telecommunications and other sectors that are in demand.
Quotes
"We know that our communities are healthier and stronger when everyone can fully participate. Supporting youth as they transition into the workplace is a key way to stimulate our economy and strengthen the middle class. Young people will benefit greatly from the opportunity to develop their skills and gain valuable workplace experience."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
"For several years, the organization "Actions interculturelles" has played an important role as an intermediary for newcomers and the host community. Its work with young people, including these work integration projects, contributes positively to the vitality of our region."
– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
"Projects like "VIP skills" and "Starting a career of excellence" allow us to create the necessary links between youth who are disconnected from the job market and employers needing workers. We help these young people to overcome obstacles and find their path. Our role is to open the doors of businesses that hire young people and help them to experience success. It's not easy, but we do it and it greatly benefits the youth, the employers, and our society."
– Mohamed Soulami, Executive Director of Actions interculturelles
"As a newcomer, the first thing that I did was to learn French. Afterward, I tried to find a job, but it wasn't easy. I'm sure that Actions interculturelles was the best choice for me, because there are jobs that are perfect for newcomers."
– Zi Liang, employability project participant
Quick Facts
- Career Focus and Skills Link are two of three program streams under the Government's Youth Employment Strategy. Each year, the Government invests more than $330 million in the Youth Employment Strategy to help support young Canadians to get the skills, abilities and job experience they need to find and maintain a good job.
- Total funding for the Youth Employment Strategy was increased by $278 million in 2016–17, representing the largest investment since its launch.
- Budget 2017 is investing an additional $395.5 million over three years in the Youth Employment Strategy, starting in 2017–18.
- Combined with Budget 2016 measures, these investments will help:
- more than 33,000 vulnerable youth develop the skills they need to find work or go back to school;
- create 15,000 new green jobs for young Canadians; and
- provide over 1,600 new employment opportunities for youth in the heritage sector.
Related Products
Associated Links
Youth Employment Strategy
Skills Link Program
Career Focus Program
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
Matt Pascuzzo, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, 819-654-5611; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]; Claudia Laplante-Chapdelaine, Communications officer, Actions interculturelles, 819-822-4415, [email protected]
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