May 25, 2007
FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan —Lynne Yelich, Member of Parliament for Blackstrap and Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced funding of $ 5,724,571 for 73 youth projects in communities across Saskatchewan. This funding was provided through the Skills Link, Career Focus and Youth Awareness programs.
“Canada’s new Government is committed to improving opportunities for young people in Saskatchewan, particularly Aboriginal youth, as part of an ongoing effort to create a strong and productive workforce,” said Parliamentary Secretary Yelich. “Aboriginal youth are important to our future and by investing in our young people, we are helping them gain the skills and work experience they need to make a successful transition into the workforce.”
Skills Link funding of $5,386,117 is being provided to support projects that help youth facing barriers to employment develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to find and keep jobs. Through the Career Focus program, funding of $117,881 will enable employers and organizations to provide post-secondary graduates with career-related work experiences and advanced employment skills that will help them become leaders in their fields. Finally, Youth Awareness funding of $220,573 will go to employers, employer associations and organizations that respond to the changing needs of the labour market and encourage communities to recognize youth as the workforce of the future.
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.
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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 enquiries:
Carrie Zdunich
Assistant to Parliamentary Secretary Yelich
306-260-0708
Craig Henry
306-564-5380
Service Canada Communications
Saskatchewan Region
Media Relations Office
Service Canada
819-994-5559
Public enquiries:
1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)
TTY: 1-800-926-9105
servicecanada.gc.ca
Youth Info Line: 1-800-935-5555
TTY: 1-800-926-9105
youth.gc.ca
Backgrounder
Canada’s Youth Programs
The Skills Link programis designed to help youth facing barriers to employment develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to participate in the job market. Skills Link offers a range of activities that can be tailored to meet individual needs and provide assistance over longer periods of time such as skills training and work experience opportunities.
Skills Link projects in Saskatchewan
Community
Sponsor Organization
Project Name and Description
Funding
Beauval, Creighton La Ronge, and Stony Rapids
Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council
Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council: provide 30 youth participants employability and life skills through workshops and work experience opportunities in the Northern tourism industry
$251,142
Buffalo Narrows
Buffalo Narrows Economic Development Corporation
Buffalo Narrows Economic Development Corporation: provide 20 youth participants life and employability skills through work experience opportunities in a variety of fields, including the skilled trades
$164,028
Humboldt
Carlton Trail Regional College
Rural Career Services Program: provide eight youth participants employability skills through workshops and work experience opportunities
$49,096
Ile à la Crosse
Ile à la Crosse Friendship Centre Inc.
Ile à la Crosse Friendship Centre Inc. Skills Link project: provide two youth participants employability skills through work experience opportunities in the community
$69,723
La Ronge
Kikinahk Friendship Centre
Kikinahk Friendship Centre: help 12 northern youth gain the skills needed to find a job or return to school
$83,697
Maple Creek
Maple Creek and District Opportunities
Maple Creek and District Opportunities – Work Experience: to provide a disabled youth employability skills through a six-month work experience in the community
$13,413
Meadow Lake
Meadow Lake Outreach Ministries
Build 06/07: provide 40 youth participants the skills needed to find a job, return to school or enter a training program
$146,199
Melfort
Marguerite Riel Centre
Paving the Way: provide 30 youth participants employability skills to enable them to find and maintain employment or return to school
$231,109
Melfort
First Nations Management Services Inc.
James Smith Cree Nations/Youth Development Initiatives 2006: provide 12 Aboriginal youth participants essential employability skills through community service and work placements
$29,630
Moose Jaw
Five Hills Health Region
Skills Link Transition to Employment: provide approximately 50 youth participants employability skills through group-based workshops
$168,561
Moose Jaw
Personal Choices Counselling/Consulting
Youth Outreach – Pathways: provide 250 youth participants outreach, referral, assessment and case management services and employment sessions to enable participants to gain employment or return to school
$159,087
Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw YMCA-YWCA
Moose Jaw Family YMCA: provide a youth participant employability skills through a 23-week work experience opportunity
$7,197
Moose Jaw
Sandra’s Focus on Fashion
Sandra’s Focus on Fashion: provide a youth participant employability skills through a work experience opportunity in retail sales
$4,773
Moose Jaw
Carol’s Catering & Café
Skills Link – Carol’s Catering: provide a youth participant employability skills through a 26-week work experience in the restaurant and catering field
$3,025
Nipawin
Nipawin Oasis Community Centre Cooperative
Nipawin Outreach Program: provide 80 youth participants enhanced employability skills through outreach, assessment and case management services
$60,000
North Battleford
Shosholoza! Productions
Skills Link North Battleford Project: provide 10 youth participants life and employability skills through group-based workshops
$143,806
North Battleford
Shosholoza! Productions
Skills Link 2007: provide 12 youth participants employability skills through community service and work experience opportunities
$109,039
Prince Albert
Prince Albert Métis Women’s Association
Youth Employment and Education Support Services: provide 48 youth facing multiple barriers to employment with employability skills through group-based workshops and work experience opportunitites in the community.
$99,064
Prince Albert
Prince Albert M étis Women’s Association
Labour Market Programming for Youth: provide 45 youth participants pre-employment programming to help them find and maintain meaningful employment
$87,271
Prince Albert
Prince Albert Métis Women’s Association
Just Work: provide 30 youth participants referred from the justice system the necessary life and employment skills to become positive and productive members of the community while supporting them to make restitution to their victims
$49,998
Prince Albert
Prince Albert Métis Women’s Association
Just Workers: provide 30 youth participants referred from the justice system the necessary life and employment skills to become positive and productive members of the community while supporting them to make restitution to their victims
$49,870
Prince Albert
Young Women’s Christian Organizaton of Prince Albert
Preparation for Employment & Pre-Employment: provide 12 youth participants with employability skills to enable them to find and maintain employment or pursue further education and training
$41,507
Prince Albert
Prince Albert District Community Service Centre
Steps to Employment: to provide 20 youth participants essential employability skills to enable them to find and maintain employment or pursue further education and training
$24,409
Redvers
South East Research Farm
SERF Skills Link IWE 2007: provide a youth participant with employability skills through work experience in the field of applied crop research
$11,517
Regina
North Central Community Association
North Central Inner City Youth Employment Program: provide 30 youth participants employability skills through community service and work experience opportunities
$278,274
Regina
Rainbow Youth Centre
Road to Employment Cycle 9: provide 16 youth participants employability skills through work experience opportunities
$189,889
Regina
Street Culture Kidz
Community Project III: to provide 10 youth participants improved employability skills and career-readiness through a series of community service and work experience opportunities
$161,907
Regina
Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services
Working Toward Success: provide 11 youth participants who have been involved with the justice system employability skills through workshops and work experience opportunities
$159,110
Regina
Regina Adult Learning Centre
Mending Paths and Building Futures Cycle 26: provide 15 youth participants employability skills, work experience and mentorship support to enable them to find and maintain employment
$146,997
Regina
Advantage Employment Cooperative
Youth Build Regina : provide 12 youth participants group based employability skills and work experience opportunities to enable them to find employment or return to school
$139,128
Regina
Regina Adult Learning Centre
Mending Paths and Building Futures Cycle 25: provide 14 youth participants employability skills, work experience and mentorship support to enable them to find and maintain employment
$98,668
Regina
Ehrlo Community Services
Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Project Phase 7: provide 5 youth participants employability skills through work experience opportunities in construction
$91,379
Regina
Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council
Tourism Careers – Ready to Work: provide 18 youth participants employability skills through workshops and work experience opportunities in the tourism industry
$34,180
Regina
Star Blanket Cree Nation
Community-Based Planning Youth Employment Strategy: to develop a strategic plan for effective employment programming for local youth
$26,921
Regina
Advantage Employment Cooperative
Skills Force Program Regina : demonstrate the feasibility of a Skills Link project focused on serving youth facing multiple barriers to employment
$9,980
Regina
Regina Work Preparation Centre
Health Career Entrance Program: provide five Aboriginal youth participants employability skills through workshops and work placements within the Regina Qu’Appelle Heath Region and its affiliates
$13,102
Regina
Regina Regional Economic Development Authority
Recruiting and Retaining Aboriginal Youth Employees: research, organize and deliver two pilot employer education workshops to showcase Saskatchewan employers who have achieved success in recruiting and retaining young Aboriginal workers
$8,113
Rosthern
Generations Ahead
Generations Ahead Work Preparation Project: provide five youth participants employability skills through workshops and work experience opportunities
$43,703
Saskatoon
Regional Employment Development
What Works!: provide 42 youth participants employability skills through group-based work shops and work experience opportunities in the community
$360,800
Saskatoon
Western Region Métis Wo men’s Association
Job Readiness Project: provide 16 Aboriginal youth participants employability skills through work experience opportunities in the community
$233,466
Saskatoon
Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming
Urban Canvass VI: provide 12 youth participants life and employment-related arts skills through workshops and the preparation of art for public exhibit
$112,856
Saskatoon
Saskatchewan Intercultural Association
MY WAY: Moving Young Women's Aspirations to Reality: provide 13 young women employability skills through mentorship, community service and work experience opportunities
$92,505
Saskatoon
READ Saskatoon
Project Ready – Shaping My Potential: provide 13 inner-city youth participants employability skills through group-based workshops to enable them to return to school or find and maintain employment
$49,741
Saskatoon
Advantage Employment Cooperative
Advantage Employment Co-op 2: provide 12 youth participants employability skills through work experience opportunities to enable them to return to school or find employment
$49,294
Saskatoon
Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council
Ready to Work: provide 12 youth participants employability skills through workshops and work experience opportunities in the tourism industry
$45,482
Saskatoon
Saskatoon Open Door Society Inc.
Global Youth Skills Development: provide 10 youth participants with employability skills through workshops and work experience opportunities.
$25,963
Saskatoon
READ Saskatoon
Project Ready – Shaping My Potential: provide six youth participants employability skills through group-based workshops to enable them to return to school or find and maintain employment
$47,501
Saskatoon
Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming
Urban Canvass VII: provide 12 youth participants life and employment-related arts skills through workshops and the preparation of art for public exhibit
$184,332
Saskatoon
Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council
Ready to Work: provide 18 youth participants employability skills through workshops and work experience opportunities in the tourism industry
$46,920
Saskatoon
Association jeunesse fransaskoise
AJF – Expérience de travail individuelle : provide a youth participant employability skills through a work experience opportunity within Saskatoon ’s Francophone community
$18,739
Swift Current
Fresh Start
Fresh Start – Eastside Church of God 2006 Youth Skills Link project: to assist five unemployed youth employability skills through work experience and personal development
$118,729
Swift Current
South West Centre for Entrepreneurial Development
South West Centre for Entrepreneurial Development Youth Work Experience: to provide a youth participant employability skills through a six-month work experience
$7,081
Weyburn
TOP
TOP: Skills Link II: provide 20 youth participants facing multiple barriers to employment employability skills through work experience and group-based workshops
$99,813
Yorkton
Prairie Harvest Employment Program
Prairie Harvest Employment Program: provide 48 youth participants employability skills through work place opportunities in the community
$428,975
Val Marie
Prairie Wind and Silver Sage
Prairie Wind Silver Sage Skills Link 06: to provide a youth participant employability skills through a five-month work experience opportunity
$5,408
Total Skills Link funding for 55 projects to support 1,109 youth participants
$5,386, 117
Career Focus is a client-centered program designed to support post-secondary graduate students while meeting the needs of today’s knowledge-based economy. Career Focus is delivered in partnership with 10 other federal departments and agencies. Service Canada delivers Career Focus through national and regional projects.
The program provides financial support to Canadian employers and organizations to provide post-secondary graduates with career-related work experiences to help them acquire advanced employment skills and become leaders in their fields.
Career Focus Projects
Community
Sponsor Organization
Project Description
Funding
Regina
North Central Community Association
Career Focus – Communications: provide a recent post-secondary graduate a career-related work experience opportunity to support their future successful transition into the Public Relations, Media Relations, Marketing and/or Communications field
$15,000
Regina
Regina Work Preparation Centre
Youth Employment Outreach Worker: provide a recent post-secondary graduate employability skills through a career-related work experience opportunity in the human services industry
$15,000
Regina
Community Services Village
Research Assistant: provide a post-secondary graduate advanced employability-skills through career related experience in a community-based organization environment
$15,000
Regina
Brown Communication
Digital Asset Revitalization: provide a post-secondary graduate a career-related work experience opportunity in the graphic design industry
$14,610
Regina
Tourism Regina
Tourism Internet Marketing Coordinator: provide a recent post-secondary graduate employability skills through a career-related work experience opportunity in the tourism industry
$3,651
Saskatoon
First Nations Agricultural Council of Saskatchewan, Inc.
Skill Training and Development Internship: provide an Aboriginal post-secondary graduate employability skills through a career-related work experience opportunity
$15,000
Swift Current
Swift Current Chamber of Commerce
Career Focus Marketing Intern: to provide a post-secondary graduate advanced employability skills through a career-related work experience opportunity in marketing
$10,301
Swift Current
RV Autoparts
RV Auto Parts Work Experience: to provide a youth participant employability skills through a one-year work experience in a retail parts and inventory control environment and enrolment in a parts apprenticeship program
$9,441
Swift Current
Southwest Regional Economic Development Authority
Southwest REDA Career Focus: to provide a graduate from a business related program advanced employability skills through a six-month career-related work experience opportunity in the economic development field
$8,628
Yorkton
Yorkton Short Film & Video Festival
Media Relations: provide a youth participant with post-secondary education employability skills through a 30-week work experience opportunity in media relations
$11,250
Total Career Focus funding for 9 projects to support 9 youth participants
$117,881
Youth Awareness activities, delivered by employers, employer associations and/or organizations, respond to the changing needs of the labour market and encourage communities to recognize youth as the workforce of the future.
Youth Awareness Projects
Community
Sponsor Organization
Project Name and Description
Funding
Carlyle
Town of Carlyle
Your Future Opportunities Career Day: an event to bring local employers and youth together to address labour market shortages in the community while promoting rural career opportunities
$1,634
Communities across Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Construction Association
SCA – Human Resources Coordinator to develop a strategic plan to address human resources requirements by encouraging young women, Aboriginal youth and youth with disabilities to pursue careers in the construction trades.
$78,360
Moose Jaw
Saskatchewan School Counselors Association
Awareness – SSCA 2006 Provincial Conference: a conference to promote cooperation between public sector, post-secondary education, government services and industry to create ore opportunities for young people to remain in Saskatchewan
$2,557
Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw Regional Economic Development Authority
Youth – Awareness: an event to familiarize employers with the changing demographics of the local labour market
$500
North Battleford
Northwest Community Futures Development Corporation
Career Employment Expo: an event to bring local employers and youth seeking jobs together to address local human resource needs.
$5,381
Prince Albert
Community Against Family Violence and Child and Youth Committee
Voice the Vision of Youth: to address skill shortages facing the area by assisting employers, communities and youth to develop human resources strategies while increasing awareness of youth as the workforce of the future
$9,161
Regina
Regina Regional Economic Development Authority
Building Talent: a series of employer-targeted events to increase awareness of the emerging workforce, particularly youth and Aboriginal youth
$23,924
Saskatoon
Skills Canada Saskatchewan
Skills Canada Saskatchewan: coordinate the Skills Canada Saskatchewan competition to promote and develop awareness of the skilled trades and technology sectors as a first-choice career option for Saskatchewan youth
$80,013
Saskatoon
Saskatoon and District Industry Education Council
Youth Career Conference: an event to bring national sector council representatives, employers, educators and youth together to increase participants understanding of Saskatchewan’s labour market and to promote youth as the workforce of the future
$19,043
Total Youth Awareness funding for 9 projects
$220,573
These projects have been reviewed to ensure their compliance with the Department’s administration of the Grants and Contributions programs, and are subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.
If you are an employer, organization or youth and would like to learn more about Youth programs and services, please visit our Internet site at servicecanada.gc.ca and click on youth, call the Youth Info Line at 1-800-935-5555 or visit a Service Canada Centre.
