The Government of Canada helps Saint-Jérôme youth prepare for jobs
SAINT-JÉRÔME, Qc, Sept. 21 /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 Member of Parliament for Mégantic-L'Érable, 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 Saint-Jérôme youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential."
Grands Frères et Grandes Sœurs de la Porte du Nord will receive $235,526 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Imagine-Action project, which will help 12 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.
"Helping youth reach their full potential through learning experiences is one of the key concepts behind Imagine-Action," said Ms. Carole Dionne, Director General of Grands Frères et Grandes Sœurs de la Porte du Nord. "In addition to building on their strengths and abilities, participants will develop new professional and social skills by directing their own videos depicting the various professions and training opportunities available in the region."
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.
backgrounder
The mission of Grands Frères et Grandes Sœurs de la Porte du Nord is to provide youth with volunteer mentoring programs based on a human, privileged and meaningful relationship with an adult role model. From August 23, 2010, to May 20, 2011, participants in the Imagine-Action project will be provided with occupational guidance services to help them enter the job market. They will also attend workshops on communications, personal budget management, as well as health and food, and will participate in a community initiative through which they will learn about the basics of directing and producing a video.
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 |
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