TORONTO, Sept. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), along with Mark Adler, Member of Parliament for York Centre, today announced new measures to equip young Canadians in Toronto with the skills and work experience they need to get jobs in high-demand fields.
"Our government is ensuring 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. "By investing in our youth today, we are ensuring they are ready to become Canada's future workers and contribute to our long-term prosperity."
"Our government is committed to creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity across Canada and right here in Toronto," said Mr. Adler. "This investment in the YMCA of Greater Toronto will help youth get the hands-on experience they need to participate and succeed in the job market."
The YMCA of Greater Toronto received over $675,000 from the Skills Link program to equip youth facing barriers to employment with the knowledge and hands-on experience they need to get jobs in the retail sector. This is one of six Skills Link projects in Ontario receiving funding through a Youth Employment Strategy initiative that will benefit over 1 900 youth across Canada in 2013-2014.
"With this generous investment from the federal government, we will be able to break down barriers to employment and support youth in maximizing their full potential," said Ms. Darlene Holowachuk, Senior Vice President of Employment Programs, YMCA of Greater Toronto. "The YMCA is a great partner because of the variety of programs we offer. We're able to provide child care, clothing allowance and transportation, as well as the life skills and mentorship to help youth succeed."
Since 2006, the Youth Employment Strategy has helped more than 555 000 young people upgrade their skills, to the benefit of the Canadian economy.
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.
| IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL. |
This news release is available online at actionplan.gc.ca.
Backgrounder
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—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.
SOURCE: Canada's Economic Action Plan
Johanna Quinney
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State
(Social Development)
613-697-4449
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
[email protected]
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