Parliamentary Secretary Strahl Talks Skills Training and Jobs with Youth from Seabird Island Français

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Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Jul 29, 2014, 15:00 ET

Parliamentary Secretary hears from youth as they progress towards employment.

AGASSIZ, BC, July 29, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, Mark Strahl, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, met with youth from Seabird Island 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, the Seabird Island Enhanced Service Delivery program currently has 95 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. 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 for Enhanced Service Delivery and $109 million 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 Seabird Island Enhanced Service Delivery program includes six affiliated First Nations: Seabird Island, Chawathil, Shxw'ōwhámel, Squiala, Cheam and Union Bar.

Quotes

"Our Government firmly believes that First Nations should have the same opportunities as all Canadians to find, keep and enjoy the benefits of a good job. I am happy to have heard from the inspiring Seabird Island youth on how they are benefiting from the skills training program. Our Government is proud to see how this initiative is creating concrete results for Aboriginal people."

Mark Strahl
Paliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and Member of Parliament for Chilliwack–Fraser Canyon

"Seabird Island Band believes in the success of our people and empowering our members to achieve independence. With help from Enhanced Service Delivery, our youth and young adults are achieving self-sufficiency through employment, reducing the dependency on income assistance and positively impacting our community."

Chief Clem Seymour
Seabird Island Band

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SOURCE: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

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

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Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

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Government of Canada