The Government of Canada helps Montréal youth prepare for the job market
MONTREAL, Oct. 14 /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 two employment projects. 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 these projects, we are helping Montréal youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential."
Two organizations from the Montréal area have received more than $340,000 in federal Skills Link funding to support their respective projects. The Centre d'Accueil et de Référence sociale et économique pour Immigrants (CARI) received $149,218 for its project called Femmes d'actions. The Maison des Jeunes par la Grand'Porte received $194,194 for its project entitled Insère-Jeunes. These organizations will help a total of 36 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 people with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school.
"The main idea of the Femmes d'actions project is to generate an exchange that will allow 16 immigrant women to create a network of employment and social contacts," said Ms. Aicha Guendafa, Executive Director of CARI. "During the 22-week span of the project, participants will also develop aptitudes and skills such as teamwork and functional independence, which they will put to use in future employment."
"Allowing youth to find fulfilment while developing socio-professional aptitudes is one of the main goals of the Insère-Jeunes project," said Ms. Farida Méziane, Executive Director of the Maison des Jeunes par la Grand'Porte. "In addition to putting their strengths and personal attributes to use, participants will acquire significant valuable experience for their future integration into the job 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.
backgrounder
Two organizations from the Montréal area are receiving funding from the Skills Link program for their respective projects.
The Centre d'Accueil et de Référence sociale et économique pour Immigrants received $149,218 for its project called Femmes d'actions. The organization offers a variety of activities led by specialists with multidisciplinary and multicultural skills, in order to guide immigrants during their integration into the job market. This project will enable 16 youth to participate in workshops that will help them acquire skills in communication, information management and teamwork, which they will then be able to apply in the workplace.
The Maison des Jeunes par la Grand'Porte received $194,194 for its project entitled Insère-Jeunes. Through various activities, this non-profit organization gives youth the tools necessary to help them develop the skills required to become contributing citizens. This project will allow the 20 participants to gain functional independence and employability skills, as well as take part in a leadership practicum and another practicum based on their respective interests.
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:
This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
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 |
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