OTTAWA, ONTARIO, JUNE 16, 2008 - Parliamentary Secretary Lynne Yelich, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced funding to provide post-secondary graduates in key sectors with the opportunity to secure quality jobs and gain valuable work experience in their chosen field of study.
"The Government of Canada, under its long-term economic plan-Advantage Canada, is committed to developing the best educated, most skilled and most flexible work force in the world," said Ms. Yelich. "This program will give young graduates valuable work experience and help Canadian employers get the highly skilled and innovative workers they need."
Speaking at Ramius Corporation's head office in Ottawa, a participating employer in the program, Ms. Yelich announced $4.2 million in funding for the Sectoral Career Focus Program. Through Canada's Sector Council Program, the funding will go to 13 sector councils, which will manage the program for their respective industries. Career Focus links highly skilled young Canadians with potential employers who can provide them with career-related work experiences. These experiences help young Canadians develop advanced skills and improve their employability.
"The Career Focus program has proven its value to many companies and employees across Canada," explained Information and Communications Technology Council President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Swinwood. "It's a program that targets the right individuals with the necessary skills, and accelerates their entry into the work force. It's a winning combination for the individual job seeker, the companies and the sectors as a whole."
Today's announced funding will leverage an additional $7.1 million in in-cash contributions from employers, for a total of $11.3 million in funding, to provide at least 406 post-secondary graduates with the opportunity to acquire quality employment and gain valuable work experience in their chosen field of study.
Sector councils bring together governments, business, labour and educational stakeholders in key sectors to share ideas, concerns and perspectives about work force issues. Canada's sector councils have been successful at meeting emerging skills requirements, addressing skills and labour shortages, and building essential skills in the workplace as a foundation for continuous learning.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
Visit the new Human Resources and Social Development Canada Web site at www.hrsdc.gc.ca.
For more information (media only):
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Solberg
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
Apparel Human Resources Council (AHRC)
BioTalent Canada
Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC)
Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council (CAMC)
Canadian Steel Trade and Employment Congress (CSTEC)
Contact Centre Canada (CCC)
Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC)
Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada
Electricity Sector Council (ESC)
Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC)
National Seafood Sector Council (NSSC)
Textiles Human Resources Council (THRC)
Wood Manufacturing Council (WMC)
