OTTAWA, ONTARIO, February 17, 2009-Youth facing barriers to employment in Ottawa will benefit from the Government of Canada's commitment to a local employment project. Mr. Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Orléans, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
"Today, more than ever, it is important that young Canadians develop skills that will enable them to participate and succeed in the job market," said Mr. Galipeau. "This project will provide youth facing barriers in entering the work force with the opportunity to gain the skills, knowledge and work experience needed to become entrepreneurs."
Bermo Management Services Inc. will receive $213,637 in federal funding through the Government of Canada's Skills Link program. Through the organization's Jeunes Entrepreneurs Bermo project, 10 participants will be given the opportunity to become successful entrepreneurs.
Skills Link is part of the Government of Canada's strategy to create the best-educated, most-skilled and most flexible work force in the world. The Government underscored this commitment in January when it introduced Canada's Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development.
The Skills Link program is delivered by Service Canada, which provides one-stop personalized services for Government of Canada programs, services and benefits. For more information about this program, call 1-800-O-Canada, go on the Internet at servicecanada.gc.ca or visit your local Service Canada Centre.
A backgrounder is attached.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
Between January 19, 2009, and December 18, 2009, this project will provide 10 unemployed Francophone youth facing employment barriers with an opportunity to gain employment skills through entrepreneurship. The objective is for participating youth to develop a broad range of skills and knowledge that will assist them in integrating effectively into self-employment, full-time employment or further education.
Bermo Management Services Inc. has been a registered business since 1987. The organization provides business consulting services to the local business community.
As part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link program is one of three Government of Canada programs that help young Canadians facing employment barriers obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed.
Skills Link focuses on helping youth facing employment barriers, such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas and high school drop-outs. It offers a client-centred approach based on ensuring that individuals' specific needs are met. The program helps youth develop basic and advanced employment skills. Eligible participants between 15 and 30 years of age-who are not receiving Employment Insurance benefits-are assisted through a coordinated approach, offering longer-term supports and services that can help them find and keep a job.
