July 31, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia—Lynne Yelich, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Blackstrap, today announced over $2.5 million dollars in funding under the Employment Assistance Services program to help people in Nova Scotia find and maintain employment. The funding, announced on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development will support projects with Women’s Employment Outreach, and the YMCA.
“Canada’s New Government is proud to support community organizations that help unemployed individuals find work,” said Ms. Yelich. “Not only will these projects help hundreds of people in Halifax who require employment and career assistance but it will also benefit local employers and the local economy.”
As part of the funding announced today, the YMCA of Greater Halifax Dartmouth will receive $1,742,120 funding for two projects over two years aimed at helping youth and women facing barriers to employment find jobs. The first project, YMove, will provide over 900 priority youth with access to employment assessment and case management services. Participants will benefit from support and encouragement as they develop and work through their employment action plans, increasing their chances of success in the labour market. The second project, The Halifax Enterprise Centre, is aimed at helping local residents in high unemployment areas of North End Halifax find work. Participants will have the access to a variety of services tailored to their individual needs, including workshops, counselling and job placement.
"The YMCA of Greater Halifax / Dartmouth has been providing employment services to the community for more than 20 years," said Barbara Miller, Director of the Community Outreach Programs at the YMCA of Greater Halifax Dartmouth. "With this funding we will be able to provide access to a wide range of resources which residents of the community can use to enhance their employment search and achieve their goal of obtaining sustainable and rewarding employment."
Women’s Employment Outreach will also receive EAS funding of $771,420 for a three year initiative which will provide employment counselling, workshops and job search services to approximately 1200 women in the Halifax Metro area facing barriers to employment. Participants will have the opportunity and support to develop a career action plan, to help them make a successful transition into the labour market.
"We are very pleased to receive this funding," said Margaret Ann Bruhier, Coordinator, Women's Employment Outreach. "It allows us to help women who are entering or re-entering the work force and who may face various challenges in doing so. With this funding we can provide women with the assistance they need to make a positive step forward to employment."
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Background
Employment Assistance Services (EAS) provides funding to organizations for the provision of employment services to help clients re-enter the labour market.
All unemployed Canadians have access to a range of services through EAS activities. However, some EAS activities are available only to those clients who are eligible to receive Employment Insurance (EI), or who have recently been in receipt of EI benefits.
Services such as the following are offered within EAS - providing and sharing labour market information; help with preparing a résumé; career planning; employment counselling; diagnostic assessment; job search skills; job finding clubs and job placement services.
Eligible recipients or coordinators of EAS are businesses (including federal crown corporations and comparable Provincial/Territorial crown corporations), organizations, individuals, public health and educational institutions, municipal governments and band/tribal councils are eligible to receive funding and act as employers or coordinators for the activities, as well as some of the Provincial/Territorial government departments and agencies.
These projects have been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department’s administration of its Grants and Contributions programs, and are subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.