STEINBACH, MANITOBA, March 27, 2009—Rural youth in Steinbach will get help finding jobs thanks to the federal government’s investment in a local youth internship program. The Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Provencher, made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
“It is more important than ever that youth develop the skills needed to participate and succeed in today’s job market,” said Minister Toews. “Through this project, we are helping youth in rural Manitoba gain the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to find jobs.”
The Mennonite Heritage Village will receive over $204,000 in federal funding through the Government of Canada’s Skills Link program for the organization’s Employment Preparation for Youth project. 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.
Through this funding, the organization will deliver a youth internship program that will provide skills training to 34 local youth facing multiple barriers to employment. The program will help participants develop basic employability skills, such as goal setting, communication, decision making and problem solving. Participants will also receive assistance from the organization to find suitable work placements in their field of interest.
“We are pleased that our organization can be involved in the community as an active support to our youth through this youth internship program,” said Mr. Al Hamm, Board President of the Mennonite Heritage Village. “The Mennonite Heritage Village is sponsoring a successful program that reflects our heritage of strong communities working together.”
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 www.servicecanada.gc.ca or visit your local Service Canada Centre.
- 30 -
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 April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010, the Mennonite Heritage Village will help 34 rural youth facing multiple barriers to employment through group-based employability skills training and a paid internship program. The goal of the program is to help participants develop a broad range of skills and knowledge that will allow them to successfully transition to employment, or go back to school. The project will be funded through the Skills Link program and Manitoba Competitiveness, Training and Trade. Participants will be selected from Steinbach and surrounding areas.
Manitoba Competitiveness, Training and Trade is a provincial department committed to supporting growth for Manitoba business, meeting provincial labour demands, increasing training opportunities and expanding trade relations around the globe.
The mission of the Mennonite Heritage Village is to preserve and exhibit for present and future generations the experience and story of the Russian Mennonites and their contribution to Manitoba. The organization brings to life the Mennonite way of life from the 16th century to today.
As part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, theSkills Linkprogram is one of three Government of Canada programs that help young Canadians facing barriers to employment obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed.
Skills Link focuses on helping youth facing barriers to employment, such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas and youth who have dropped out of high school. It offers a client-centred approach based on assessing an individual’s specific needs. The program supports youth in developing 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.
