The Government of Canada helps Montréal youth prepare for jobs

MONTREAL, Oct 4 /CNW Telbec/ - Local youth who face barriers to employment will get job preparation training and work experience through the Government of Canada's support for an employment project. The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for Quebec, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

"In today's environment, it is more important than ever that youth develop the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market," said Minister Paradis. "By supporting this project, we are helping Montréal youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential."

The Carrefour jeunesse-emploi Ahuntsic-Bordeaux-Cartierville will receive $99,543 in federal Skills Link funding to support its employment project, which will help 10 youth facing employment barriers develop life and job skills to ease their transition to work or return to school.

Skills Link focuses on helping youth facing barriers to employment, such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school.

"Sometimes, all young people need is a boost to obtain the tools and the confidence they need to participate fully in the world around them," said Mr. Pierre Gingras, Executive Director of the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi Ahuntsic-Bordeaux-Cartierville. "These life skills and job readiness workshops will allow the young participants in this project to put their best foot forward and find their place in the labour market."

The federal government is working with the provinces and territories, community organizations and other stakeholders to provide Canadians with the training, skills and opportunities they need to get jobs and contribute to their communities.

Through the 2010 "Jobs and Growth Budget," the Government of Canada committed an additional $60 million to the Skills Link and Career Focus programs. This additional one-time investment will enable more young Canadians to gain the experience and skills they need to successfully participate in the labour market while the economy recovers.

Skills Link is part of the Government of Canada's strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The Government underscored its commitment to this strategy in Canada's Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development. To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

The Skills Link program is delivered by Service Canada, which provides one-stop personalized services for Government of Canada programs, services and benefits. For more information about this program, visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca, call 1 800 O-Canada or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

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backgrounder

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The Carrefour jeunesse-emploi Ahuntsic-Bordeaux-Cartierville is a centre that offers young adults welcoming, individualized services, as well as labour market information and training. From October 12, 2010, until March 4, 2011, through the organization's employment project, 10 participants will attend a range of workshops on interpersonal relations and the importance of team communication, which will enable them to acquire knowledge and develop employability skills.

As part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link program is one of three programs that help young Canadians, particularly those facing barriers to employment, obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed. The other two programs are Summer Work Experience and Career Focus.

Skills Link focuses on helping youth facing barriers to employment, such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school. It offers a client-centred approach based on assessing an individual's specific needs. The program supports youth in developing basic and advanced employment skills. Eligible participants between 15 and 30 years of age—who are not receiving Employment Insurance benefits—are assisted through a coordinated approach, offering longer-term supports and services that can help them find and keep a job.

For further information:

(media only):

Michelle Bakos   Press Secretary Office of Minister Finley                        819-994-2482

Media Relations Office Human Resources and Skills Development Canada 819-994-5559