September 5, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CRESTON, British Columbia - Over 3500 residents of the Kootenays will get help to re-enter the work force thanks to two federally funded projects. Jim Abbott, MMember of Parliament for Kootenay-Columbia and Parliamentary Secretary for Canadian Heritage, made the announcement 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, most flexible workforce in the world," said Mr Abbott. "Not only will this funding help over 3500 Kootenay residents who need to improve their skills, but it will also benefit local employers and the local economy."
Over the next two years, Rory Lindsay & Associates will provide financial assistance to 360 unemployed individuals in East and West Kootenays, so they can obtain the skills training that will help them gain sustainable employment. Rory Lindsay & Associates will receive $3,670,767 in funding from Service Canada's Community Coordinator -Skills Development Employment Benefit program to facilitate this assistance.
"This project will allow us to assist several hundred unemployed people to return to work by offering training programs that will provide them with the skills that are in demand by our ever changing economy," said Rory Lindsay, Project Manager, Rory Lindsay & Associates. "It will also assist employers by providing them with a workforce that has the skills that they need to survive and prosper."
Over the next three years, Kootenay Employment Services Society (KES) will provide a self-service employment resource centre and employment counselling services to help over 3150 unemployed individuals in the Creston area to prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. KES will receive $708,692 in funding through Service Canada's Employment Assistance Services program for this project.
"The ongoing changes in our labour market commit workers to a path of lifelong learning in order to remain competitive," said Hugh Grant, Manager, Kootenay Employment Services Society. "This program gives KES the resources to provide residents with professional employment counselling and support services to make appropriate educational choices and gain essential skills."
These projects reflect 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, personalized 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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Backgrounder
Community Coordinator -
Skills Development Employment Benefit
Community Coordinators are organizations that are selected to receive funding from Service Canada to deliver employment-related assistance through their own programming to their own clients. The Community Coordinator's programs must be similar to those run by the Employment Insurance (EI) Commission, and must develop funding guidelines that reflect those of Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC).
Community Coordinators providing services under the Skills Development component of the program provide financial assistance to people who need skills training to secure employment. Eligible individuals, who are approved under the Skills Development component, select, arrange, and pay for their own training.
Employment Assistance Services
The Employment Assistance Services (EAS) program provides funding to organizations that offer employment services to help clients re-enter the labour market. Funding for the EAS program was provided for in the March 2007 federal budget.
All unemployed Canadians have access to a range of services under the EAS program. However, some EAS offerings are available only to clients who are eligible to receive Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, or who have recently been receiving EI benefits.
Employment Assistance Services include providing clients with information about the labour market, help preparing résumés, career-planning services, employment counselling, diagnostic assessment, help with job-search skills, job-finding clubs, and job-placement services.
Eligible recipients of EAS funding are businesses (including federal Crown corporations and provincial/territorial Crown corporations), organizations, individuals, public health and educational institutions, municipal governments, and band/tribal councils, as well as some provincial/territorial government departments and agencies. These entities act as employers or service coordinators under the program.
This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with Service Canada's administration of its grants and contributions programs, and is subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.
