April 11, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Calgary, Alberta - Diane Ablonczy, Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) and Member of Parliament for Calgary–Nose Hill, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced Skills Link funding to help youth at risk in Calgary get skills and jobs.
"The Government of Canada is committed to creating the best educated, most skilled, and most flexible work force in the world," said Ms. Ablonczy. "Not only will our investment help more than 54 young people in the Calgary area find and keep quality jobs, but it will also benefit local employers facing labour shortages and will be good for the local economy."
The YWCA of Calgary will receive $498,917 through Service Canada's Skills Link program. The YWCA's Training Institute will allow young people to explore careers in the trades and gain skills through classroom instruction on topics such as problem solving, goal setting, conflict resolution, and the job market. They will also develop construction skills and have hands-on work experience to help them plan their future career goals.
This project reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to creating a strong economy for all Canadians. Through its Advantage Canada plan, the Government is building on Canada's strengths and gaining a global competitive advantage by reducing taxes for all Canadians, increasing competition in the marketplace, and building modern infrastructure.
The Government has also taken steps to address skills shortages and promote the trades as a quality career option by funding skills-related projects and creating the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, a taxable cash grant of $1,000 a year that is available to registered apprentices in the first two years of a Red Seal trade program.
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, on the 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 inquiries
Media Relations Office
Service Canada
819-994-5559
Public inquiries:
1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)
TTY: 1-800-926-9105
servicecanada.gc.ca
Youth Info Line
1-800-935-5555
youth.gc.ca
Backgrounder
Skills Link
The Skills Link program is one of three Government of Canada programs that help young Canadians (aged 15 to 30) 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 drop-outs, single parents, Aboriginal youth, young people 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.
