October 21, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NAPANEE, ONTARIO -The Honourable Mauril Bélanger, Minister of Internal Trade, Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, on behalf of Belinda Stronach, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister responsible for Democratic Renewal, today announced funding for a project to help six youth in the Greater Napanee area of Ontario. The funding, totalling $65,377 is intended to help participants make a successful transition to the workplace. The Lennox and Addington Volunteer Centre will receive this funding.
"I am pleased to announce funding for organizations such as the Lennox and Addington Volunteer Centre that are dedicated to increasing the employability of Canada 's youth," said Minister Bélanger. "This project will help participants overcome barriers to employment and reach their full potential."
"The Government of Canada is proud to be associated with a project that will give young people the skills and experience they need to enter the labour market," said Minister Stronach. "Initiatives such as this one provide participants with work-related experience and give them the opportunity to develop transferable employment skills."
Under the project, the Lennox and Addington Volunteer Centre will provide workshops and employment experience opportunities to young people facing barriers to employment in the Greater Napanee area. The workshops will cover a wide range of topics, including presentation skills, résumé development, teamwork and basic advertising concepts. Participants will gain work experience by assisting in the planning of the Music by the River series and the Napanee Celtic Festival. At the end of this project, the young people will have gained the skills and experience they need to move into the labour market or return to school.
Service Canada is providing financial assistance for this project through the Skills Link program, a component of the Youth Employment Strategy. The Skills Link program helps young people facing barriers to employment to 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 this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal Budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This project has been reviewed to ensure its compliance with the Department's administration of its grant and contribution programs, and it is subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.
PROJECT SUMMARY
- Government of Canada funding:
$ 65,377 under the Skills Link program - Number of participants: 6
- Objective: provide workshops and employment experience opportunities to young people facing barriers to employment in the Greater Napanee area.
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For further information (media only):
Media Relations Service Canada
(819) 994-5559
Public Enquiries:
1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232)
TTY: 1 800 926-9105
servicecanada.gc.ca
For more information on programs under the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, call the Youth Info Line at 1 800 935-5555, or visit our Web site at youth.gc.ca
