August 3 , 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, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced $151,269 in funding for reachAbility Association, under the Youth Employment Strategy–Skills Link program, to help youth in Halifax find and keep long-term jobs.
“Canada’s New Government is proud to work with community organizations such as reachAbility to create opportunities for young Canadians and help them reach their potential,” said Parliamentary Secretary Yelich. “This partnership will help young people in the Halifax region who face barriers to employment get the skills, knowledge and experience they need to find and keep quality jobs.”
“Partnerships between Service Canada and community agencies are invaluable, especially for youth,” said Tova Sherman, Executive Director of reachAbility Association. “They provide opportunities to kick-start youths’ lives through employment, which provides independence.”
Over the next year, reachAbility Association will help youth with disabilities in the Halifax regional municipality develop employability skills through workshops, community service and the creation of a career plan. Participants aim to become employed or self-employed or to return to school.
Canada ’s New Government is funding this project through Skills Link, one of Canada ’s youth employment programs. The program involves employers, community organizations and other levels of government in ensuring that young people have the opportunity to develop their skills and become contributing members of their communities.
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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Media Relations Office
Service Canada
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youth.gc.ca
Backgrounder
Youth Skills Link
The Skills Link program is one of three Government of Canada programs that help young Canadians (aged 15 to 30 years) obtain 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 focuses on helping young people who face barriers to employment. These young people include high school dropouts, 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 programs, and are subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.
