Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia invest to help youth across the province explore careers in the skilled trades

DARTMOUTH, NS, July 3, 2013 /CNW/ - The Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia are providing support to promote careers in the skilled trades and technology sector to students across the province. The announcement was made by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and the Honourable Frank Corbett, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education for Nova Scotia.

"Our government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity," said Minister MacKay. "The Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy is helping youth develop the skills and gain the experience they need to prepare for jobs in high-demand fields. That's why we support Skills Canada - Nova Scotia to encourage young Canadians to pursue careers in the skilled trades."

"Nova Scotians are facing unprecedented opportunities," said Minister Corbett. "These opportunities require skilled workers, so it's important to get people, especially our youth, prepared now. Investments like this allow our students and apprentices to enhance their skills, strive for excellence in a chosen field, and explore various skilled trades and technologies to perhaps discover a new interest for their future career."

Skills Canada - Nova Scotia (SCNS) is receiving over $193,000 in federal funding and over $205,000 in provincial funding to organize skills competitions and help youth learn about education and career options. Activities include preparing participants for regional, provincial and national competitions, conducting classroom presentations and coordinating networking opportunities for youth with educators and employers.

"From informative in-class presentations, to the Skills Canada National Competition, Skills Canada - Nova Scotia provides youth with thrilling experiences which allow them to explore skilled trades and technologies, and strive for excellence among Canada's best students and apprentices," said Ms. Courtney Gouthro, Executive Director, Skills Canada - Nova Scotia.

"Canada is facing a growing shortage of skilled tradespeople," said Minister MacKay. "Through Economic Action Plan 2013 and support for training programs, along with grants and tax credits, we are encouraging apprenticeships and careers in the skilled trades."

With annual funding of approximately $300 million, YES helps youth—particularly those facing barriers to employment—obtain career information, develop 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.

In addition to existing funding, Economic Action Plan 2012 invested an extra $50 million to enhance YES with a new initiative that connects young Canadians with jobs in high demand and helps them develop tangible skills and gain work experience.  Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes an additional investment of $70 million over three years to create 5 000 more paid internships.

Youth employment programs are part of the Government of Canada's broader strategy to connect Canadians with available jobs. Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes new measures to equip Canadians with the skills and training they need. These include the Canada Job Grant, creating opportunities for apprentices and providing support to under-represented groups such as people 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 is the Government of Canada's commitment to help youth make a successful transition to the workplace.

Skills Link helps youth facing barriers to employment, including youth who are single parents, youth with disabilities 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.

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.

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.

To learn more about Canada's Youth Employment Strategy and other youth employment initiatives, please visit youth.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Jan O'Driscoll
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

Chrissy Matheson
Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education
902-424-0281
Mobile: [phone]
[email protected] 

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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This news release is available online at: actionplan.gc.ca.