April 11, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANNAPOLIS VALLEY, NOVA SCOTIA -The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced $111,606 in funding for a project to help young people with disabilities in the Digby and Annapolis counties develop skills and find jobs.
"Canada's New Government is proud to announce a funding agreement with the Digby Disabilities Partnership Committee that will help young people with disabilities from this area succeed," said Minister Solberg. "The Committee has a wonderful track record in helping participants reach their goals and achieve their true potential, and I know they will continue to deliver results."
Under the Employability Skills through Work Experience project, the Digby Disabilities Partnership Committee will coordinate work placements with local employers. Participants will receive training to develop skills in fundamental areas such as customer service, communication, time management, and priority setting. By the end of the program, it is expected that participants will be successful in finding jobs or returning to school.
"It's all about helping youth with disabilities facing multiple barriers to employment achieve a greater sense of self-sufficiency," said Debbie Cook, Executive Director of the Digby Disabilities Partnership Committee.
Service Canada is funding this project through Skills Link, one of the Government's youth employment programs. Canada's New Government is committed to improving opportunities for youth. By working with employers, community organizations and other levels of government, it is making sure young people have opportunities to develop their skills and gain the job experience required to be part of a strong and productive workforce.
Service Canada brings Government of Canada services and benefits together in a single delivery network. It provides Canadians with one-stop, personalized service they can access however they choose by phone at 1 800 O-Canada, Internet at servicecanada.gc.ca, or in person at Service Canada Centres across the country.
Background information follows.
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This news release is available in alternative formats on request. Call 1-800-788-8282 on a touch-tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).
Media inquiries:
Debbie Cook, Executive Director
Digby Disabilities Partnership Committee
902-245-3731
Paul Innes, Program Delivery Manager
Service Canada, Windsor , NS
902-798-6509
Media Relations Office
Service Canada
819-994-5559
Public inquiries:
1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)
TTY: 1-800-926-9105
servicecanada.ca
Youth Info Line
1-800-935-5555
youth.gc.ca.
Backgrounder
Skills Link
The Skills Link program is one of three programs offered by Canada's New Government that helps young Canadians aged 15 to 30 get career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed. The two other programs are Summer Work Experience and Career Focus.
Skills Link targets young people who face barriers to employment, including high school drop-outs, single parents, Aboriginal youth, persons with disabilities, youth in rural areas and recent immigrants. Summer Work Experience helps secondary and post-secondary students find summer jobs. Career Focus helps post-secondary graduates develop advanced skills and find careers in their fields. All three programs provide a range of activities that can be tailored to meet individual needs.
Projects funded under the Skills Link program have been reviewed to ensure compliance with the department's administration of its Grants and Contributions program, and are subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.
Any employer, organization or individual seeking to learn more about youth programs and services should visit servicecanada.gc.ca, call the Youth Info Line at 1-800-935-5555 or visit a local Service Canada Centre.
