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July 12, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
05-49
EDMONTON, ALBERTA-The Honourable Belinda Stronach, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister responsible for Democratic Renewal, today announced funding for 18 projects targeted to help more than 2,000 young people in Alberta. The funding, totalling $5,574,551, is intended to help participants make a successful transition to the workplace.
"Thanks to projects such as these, young Canadians gain the employability skills and practical work experience they need to enter todays labour market," said Minister Stronach. "The Government of Canada is proud to fund projects that are helping young people achieve their career goals and realize their full potential."
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada is providing financial assistance through the Skills Link program, a component of the Youth Employment Strategy. The Skills Link program helps young people facing barriers to employment acquire the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to participate in the job market.
The Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy offers three programs: Skills Link, Summer Work Experience and Career Focus. These programs provide flexibility to choose from a range of activities that can be tailored to meet individual needs.
The federal government's commitment to improving opportunities for youth is part of an ongoing effort to build a strong, vibrant Canada for the 21st century. The Government's strategy is to create a Canada where meaningful, long-term employment opportunities exist and the work force is trained to meet the requirements of modern businesses.
Funding for these projects was provided for in the 2005 federal Budget.
These projects have been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's administration of its grant and contribution programs, and are subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.
For more information, see the attached backgrounder.
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For further information (media only):
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
(819) 994-5559
To find out more about programs under the Government of Canadas Youth Employment Strategy, call the Youth Info Line at 1 800 935-5555, or visit our Web site at youth.gc.ca.
BACKGROUNDER
Skills Link
Organization
Location
Funding
Aspen Family Community Network
Calgary
$426,304
This network will help 70 young people facing employment barriers to improve their employability skills in order to find and maintain employment or return to school.
Calgary Mennonite Centre for Newcomers
Calgary
$499,776
This centre will help 42 immigrant and ethnic youth facing employment barriers to develop transferable skills by taking part in a community service project.
University of Calgary
Calgary
$149,610
This university will provide employability skills workshops through a community service project to help six participants with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), or similar cognitive or behavioural challenges, to find employment or return to school.
Camrose Open Door Association
Camrose
$347,171
This association will provide 14 youths facing employment barriers with transferable life and employability skills, and will help them move into the labour market.
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
Edmonton
$149,991
This society will deliver client assessment, case management, and group-based employability skills services to 24 youth facing employment barriers and will help them acquire work experience. This will enhance their employability skills and help them obtain employment or further their education.
BGS Enterprises Inc.
Edmonton
$881,367
This organization will provide assessment, outreach and case management services to 1,800 youth facing employment barriers.
Campbell College Ltd.
Edmonton
$493,693
This college will offer client assessment, case management, group-based employability skills and work experience to 40 youth, thereby helping them to gain employment or return to school.
EmployAbilities Society of Alberta
Edmonton
$269,567
This society will offer group-based employability skills programs, including programs in the hospitality industry, to 28 youth facing employment barriers.
Lakeland College (Strathcona Campus)
Edmonton
$411, 073
This college will deliver two 20-week group-based employability skills program for two groups of youth facing barriers to employment in Strathcona County. By taking part in this program, 28 young people will acquire work experience that will enhance their employability skills and help them obtain employment.
M.C. Henning Research and Consulting Inc.
Edmonton
$359,465
This firm will deliver a 20-week group-based employability skills program for 36 youth facing barriers to employment in the Edmonton area. This program will help them enhance their employability skills and obtain employment.
McBride Career Group Inc.
Edmonton
$127,963
This organization will provide 16 youth facing employment barriers with a 25-week, group-based employability skills and work experience program, including client assessment and case management.
On-Site Placement Services Association
Edmonton
$473,891
This association will offer client assessment, ongoing case management, group-based employability skills and work experience to 60 youths with significant disabilities, to help them to find and keep work.
YMCA of Wood Buffalo
Fort McMurray
$90,008
This organization, in consultation with the Youth Employment Coordinated Services for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Steering Committee, will develop the Wood Buffalo Map of Youth Employment Assets and Opportunities 20052008, which will identify current assets, gaps, needs and priorities related to youth employment in the Wood Buffalo region.
Town of Grande Cache
Grande Cache
$24,946
In consultation with a steering committee, the Town of Grande Cache will develop a Youth Community Plan, which will identify current assets, gaps, needs and priorities related to youth services, programming and employment in Grande Cache and the surrounding area.
Lethbridge Community College
Lethbridge
$145,975
This college will provide 18 youth facing employment barriers with employment skills preparation to improve their employability and help them enter the labour market.
Lokken Career Training
Medicine Hat
$145,643
This training centre will provide employment skills preparation for 16 young women facing employment barriers, to improve their employability and help them obtain employment (mainly in the trades) either by becoming self-employed or by returning to school.
Town of Penhold
Penhold
$234,682
The Town of Penhold will provide employability skills, community service and work experience to 10 youths facing employment barriers, thereby helping them to obtain employment.
Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools
Wetaskiwin
$343,426
The Community Learning Council for Wetaskiwin and Area will provide transferable life and employability skills development to 15 youth facing employment barriers.
While in Edmonton to announce Skills Link projects, Minister Stronach visits a classroom at Campbell College. During her visit, she spends a few minutes with student Dexter Fehr talking over his school projects. - 30 -
