The Government of Canada helps Montréal youth prepare for jobs

MONTREAL, Oct. 25 /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."

Pro-Vert Sud-Ouest will receive more than $234,000 in federal Skills Link funding to support its project entitled Action Embellissement, which will help 20 youth facing employment barriers gain the skills and experience needed to enter the labour market or the confidence to return to school.

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

"With this funding, we will be able to help youth facing difficulties in southwest Montréal reintegrate into society in a constructive manner," said Ms. Nicole Bastien, Director General of Pro-Vert Sud-Ouest. "Moreover, the work of the participants will have a long-term impact on the community since they will be working to beautify and improve various urban sites."

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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Founded in 1996, Pro-Vert Sud-Ouest is a non-profit organization promoting quality of life for residents through its actions to beautify, clean up and recycle, while ensuring a healthy environment for the community. Through the Action Embellissement project, participants will attend workshops on functional independence and employability. They will also gain work experience by taking part in community service that focuses on the environment.

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 people 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