January 15, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LÉVIS, Quebec — Mr. Steven Blaney, Member of Parliament for Lévis–Bellechasse , on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced funding for the Service d’appui régional en immigration (SARI), which will help young immigrants in the Lévis area to find jobs.
“The Government of Canada is proud to work with local community organizations to help create opportunities for young Quebeckers,” said Mr. Blaney. “This project will help young immigrants who face barriers to employment get the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to find and keep quality jobs.”
The over $49,000 in funding that SARI is receiving will enable young immigrants who have difficulty entering the labour market improve their employability. SARI is a not-for-profit organization set up by a variety of cultural communities, and has been active in the Lévis region for many years. Its mission is to help facilitate the social, cultural, economic integration of newcomers to Quebec , as well as help them join the labour force
Participants will be given the opportunity to take part in a 20-week workplace internship, which will help improve their employability and ability to secure long-term jobs. Throughout the project, the young people will also take part in workshops to develop their basic job skills, functional autonomy and employment readiness. They will also make use of intercultural and interracial awareness training tools.
Service Canada provides project funding through the Skills Link program, which helps youth facing barriers to employment obtain the knowledge, skills, and work experience they need to participate in the job market.
Skills Link is one of three Government of Canada programs for youth. The other two are Summer Work Experience and Career Focus. These programs offer a range of activities to meet each participant’s needs.
Service Canada brings Government of Canada services and benefits together in a single delivery network. It provides Canadians with one-stop service they can access however they choose—by phone at 1 800 O-Canada, online at servicecanada.gc.ca, or in person at Service Canada Centres across the country.
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