Government of Canada provides opportunities for Marystown youth
News Release
Youth facing barriers to employment benefit from job skills training and employment opportunities
July 27, 2017 Marystown, NL Employment and Social Development Canada
Building a strong middle class means giving Canada’s youth the tools they need to find and keep good jobs.
That’s why the Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament for Bonavista–Burin–Trinity, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced a new project today that will give youth in the Marystown area job skills training and hands-on work experience.
Up to 24 youth will participate in the Building Blocks for a Brighter Future project, which will be delivered by the Smallwood Crescent Community Centre Inc. Through workshops, at-risk and youth with disabilities will develop skills such as job search techniques, interview preparation and business communications that will help them find and keep jobs. They will then be placed in entry level positions in such high-demand industries as fishing, tourism, forestry, retail and services.
The Government of Canada will provide approximately $330,000 in funding for this project through the Skills Link program of the Government’s Youth Employment Strategy. Skills Link supports projects that help young people who face more barriers to employment than others develop basic employability skills and gain valuable job experience, which, in turn, assists them in making a successful transition into the labour market or to return to school. These youth could include those who have not completed high school, single parents, Indigenous youth, young people with disabilities, youth living in rural or remote areas or newcomers.
Quotes
“We know that our communities are healthier and stronger when everyone can fully participate. Supporting youth as they transition into the workforce is a key way in which we can grow our economy and strengthen our middle class.”
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
“Developing Canada’s youth is a priority. The Smallwood Crescent Community Centre’s project is a concrete example of what we can achieve for youth by working in partnership with organizations across the country. Projects like this one can help put regular paycheques into the reach of those who need it. But more than that, they give young Canadians the chance to change their future.”
– The Honourable Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Prodcurement and Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity
“The funding announced today will help bring security and stability to youth employment programming at our Centre for the next two years. With these funds, the Community Centre will support 24 at-risk youth by placing them with local employers to gain valuable work experience and will aid in making the youth more employable as they move forward."
– Darrell Jackman, Executive Director, Smallwood Crescent Community Centre Inc.
Quick Facts
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Skills Link is one of three program streams under the Government’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES). Each year, the Government invests more than $330 million in YES to help support young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 to get the information, skills, job experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition to the workplace.
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Budget 2017 announced an investment of a further $395.5 million over three years in YES for additional employment and skills development opportunities for youth.
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Since 2005, YES programs delivered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) have helped over 582,000 youth develop skills and gain work experience to find a job or return to school. ESDC’s Skills Link program has helped over 141,000 youth since 2005.
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Contacts
Jean-Bruno Villeneuve
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu
819-654-5611
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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