August 8, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
QUÉBEC, Quebec — Luc Harvey, Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced $90,000 in funding for a project to help young post-secondary graduates in Québec gain career-related work experience.
“In funding this project, Canada ’s New Government is providing graduates with career-related job opportunities,” said Mr. Harvey. “ The goal is to help them develop advanced skills that will enable them to pursue careers and become leaders in their chosen fields.”
Through the Opération Jeunesse project, the Québec Metro High Tech Park is giving 12 young people with post-secondary diplomas the chance to obtain work experience linked to their field of study. The Québec Metro High Tech Park, which consists of 94 businesses and 4,200 workers, is a not-for-profit economic development agency that takes an entrepreneurial approach to promoting the growth of innovative organizations by offering a stimulating environment for business development.
“The project announced today fits in well with the mission of the High Tech Park,” said Richard St-Pierre, the park’s acting director general. “Businesses that hire young graduates benefit greatly from their skills. There’s no doubt that these young people will constitute a highly qualified and competent addition to the workforce, one that is ready to take on the challenges of a constantly evolving labour market.”
The 12 project participants will gain experience related to their qualifications and aspirations while working in one of the park’s knowledge-economy firms in fields such as life sciences, optics, photonics, new materials, the environment, wood technology and information technology. In addition to acquiring specialized job skills and knowledge, as well as interpersonal skills, the young people will learn more about the realities of the labour market and its requirements.
Service Canada supports this project financially through the Career Focus program, which offers post-secondary graduates career-related work opportunities.
Career Focus is one of three programs for youth. The other two are Summer Work Experience and Skills Link. These programs offer a range of activities to meet individual needs.
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, by Internet at servicecanada.gc.ca, or in person at Service Canada Centres across the country.
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