Parliamentary Secretary Strahl Talks Skills Training and Jobs with Nuu-Chah-Nulth youth - Parliamentary secretary hears from youth as they progress towards employment.

TOFINO, BC, Sept. 9, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, Parliamentary Secretary for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Mark Strahl, met with Nuu-Chah-Nulth youth who are receiving personalized support so that they can secure the skills training that will help them find a job and achieve the self-sufficiency that they deserve.

In total, Nuu-Chah-Nulth Enhanced Service Delivery program currently has 93 affiliated youth undertaking Enhanced Service Delivery, which supports First Nations in identifying individuals' employment needs and establishes a plan to assist individuals in overcoming barriers to employment. The goal: connecting youth with jobs, like Donald.

As a resident of the Opitsaht Reserve in Clayoquot Sound, the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, Donald's participation in the Nuu-chah-nulth BladeRunners Program, allowed him to build much needed skills and self confidence. This was due in part to the Government of Canada's investments in skills training for First Nations youth. Upon completion of the program, Donald secured employment as a sea kayak guide with Tofino Sea Kayaking.

On January 31, 2014, Minister Valcourt announced that nearly 4,000 First Nation youth from across Canada will participate in an effort to reduce reliance on Income Assistance by providing youth with access to a wider, more personalized, range of training, education and career counselling programs that will help them get jobs.

By investing in jobs and skills training for First Nation youth, the Government of Canada is taking concrete steps to help build more prosperous, self-sufficient First Nation communities.

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is investing $241 million in new funding to help First Nation youth between the ages of 18 and 24 get personalized job and skills training as part of changes to the Income Assistance program. Specifically, $132 million will support Enhanced Service Delivery and $109 million is for a new First Nations Job Fund.
• Participants have access to a range of services and programs aimed at increasing their job prospects and supporting them as they move into the workforce, including: basic life-skills and literacy training, skills training and career counseling.
• Changes to the program are targeted to help First Nation youth find meaningful employment.
• Close to 250 First Nation youth in British Columbia are receiving personalized job readiness support thanks to this initiative.
• The Nuu-Chah-Nulth Enhanced Service Delivery program includes seven affiliated First Nations: Ditidaht, Ehattesaht/Chinehkint, Hupacasath, Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k:tles7et'h', Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Tla-o-qui-aht and Yuulu?il?ath.

Quotes

"Our Government, First Nation parents, leaders and youth all agree: First Nations should have the same opportunities as all Canadians to find, keep and enjoy the benefits of a good job. I was pleased to meet with Nuu-Chah-Nulth youth

about how our skills training program is benefiting them. Our Government is proud to see how this initiative is creating concrete results for Aboriginal people."

Mark Strahl
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"This initiative provides a springboard to enhanced employment for First Nations youth; I am thrilled to see our West Coast youth embrace the opportunity to lifelong success through personal skills development."

James Lunney
Member of Parliament for Nanaimo–Alberni

"We are honored and proud that the young individuals' successes are recognized because they are continuing the ongoing development of creating a greater education, appreciation and understanding of First Nations' presence in our Hawiihs' hahoulthee through the stories and experiences each shares during their charter tours with their customers."

Francis Frank
Tla-o-qui-aht Chief Councillor

"Our youth are our future. It is exciting to see youth from Ditidaht to Kayukth/Chektleseth, remote, rural and urban communities from end to end of Nuu-chah-nulth territory. They are succeeding with support from the Enhanced Service Delivery initiative and especially their own hard work. The combination of the Government of Canada Enhanced Service Delivery with the First Nations Job Fund fits well with Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council development strategy to bring together resources, and is adaptable to the diverse opportunities in and around our communities."

Deb Foxcroft,
President, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council

Related Products

• Backgrounder – Improved On-Reserve Income Assistance Program
• Backgrounder – Enhanced Service Delivery
• Video - Connecting Youth with Jobs: Reforming Income Assistance
• January 31, 2014 – Harper Government Connects First Nation Youth with Personalized Skills and Training

Associated Links

• Income Assistance Program
• Success Stories – Reducing reliance on Income Assistance
• First Nations Job Fund
• June 12, 2013 – Harper Government Invests in Skills & Training for First Nation Youth
• July 4, 2014 – Minister Valcourt Holds Roundtable with Blood Tribe Youth on Skills Training and Jobs
• July 24, 2014 – Minister Valcourt Talks Skills Training and Jobs with Youth from Meadow Lake Tribal Council
• July 29, 2014 – Minister Valcourt Talks Skills Training and Jobs with Okanagan Nation Youth
• July 29, 2014 - Parliamentary Secretary Strahl Talks Skills Training and Jobs with Youth from Seabird Island

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SOURCE: Government of Canada

Contacts : Erica Meekes, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, 819-997-0002; Media Relations: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, 819-953-1160