August 28, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAMPBELLTON, New Brunswick - Young Atlantic Canadians will develop the skills they need to find and keep quality jobs through a new project supported by the Government of Canada. Mike Allen, Member of Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac, announced the project today on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.
"Our government is committed to creating the best educated, most skilled, and most flexible work force in the world," said Mr. Allen. "This project will help young graduates get valuable experience working with small and medium-sized businesses in rural areas of Atlantic Canada, leading to full-time jobs."
Canada's government is committing $293,750 in Career Focus funding for the Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) Restigouche and its Rural Atlantic Expertise project. Through this project, CBDC Restigouche will help 20 post-secondary graduates gain the work experience they need to make a successful transition into the work force. Each participant will take part in a 26-week work placement in a rural or remote region of the Atlantic provinces, working in such fields as business administration, information technology, engineering, and science.
"I would like to thank Service Canada and CBDC Restigouche for my participation in the Rural Atlantic Expertise initiative," said Skipp Fowler, a former project participant and current marketing director for ATVenture Components Inc., Kan-Go-Roo Playgrounds Ltd. "The experience I gained at Kan-Go-Roo Playgrounds has been an invaluable asset that has allowed me to apply the marketing knowledge and concepts I learned at university. The Rural Atlantic Expertise initiative helps businesses share costs while their new employees gain experience and begin to apply their academic knowledge to real-life business scenarios."
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 not only focusing on developing work-force skills, but is also building on Canada's strengths and gaining a global competitive advantage by reducing taxes for all Canadians, increasing competition in the marketplace, building modern infrastructure, and eliminating the debt.
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.
A backgrounder is attached.
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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 enquiries:
Media Relations Office
Service Canada
819-994-5559
Public enquiries:
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
The Career Focus 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 Skills Link.
The Career Focus program provides funding for employers to offer post-secondary graduates opportunities to obtain career-related work experience. The objective of this program is to help youth acquire advanced employment skills and facilitate their transition to a rapidly changing labour market. This program connects youth with employers who can provide them with career-related work experience.
