March 18, 2009
Vernon, British Columbia
Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Shuswap, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, today announced federal support to assist the NextSteps Enterprise West Society in its efforts to help Canadian industries improve their competitive advantage.
"Our Government is taking action to ensure Canada's workforce is the best educated and most skilled," said Mr. Mayes. "Today's investment will help small business owners gain the skills they need to better recruit, train and retain young Canadian workers."
The project entitled Bridging the Generation Divide will help small-and medium-sized businesses throughout British Columbia adopt new management and business practices to create more productive employees. Participating facilitators will be outfitted with the necessary skills for equipping employers to better recruit, train and retain the youth of today. Activities will include facilitator training, Bridging the Generation Divide workshops in various communities and program evaluations by participants.
"The focus of the Bridging the Generation Divide project is to provide knowledge and tools to employers on human resource management of Generation Y," said Jane Lister, Project Manager, NextSteps Enterprise West Society. "The decision of the Federal Government to fund this program means B.C. employers will have access to local trainers and expertise who can assist these businesses to benefit from the opportunities and overcome the challenges of hiring youth in our communities."
Federal funding of $68,200, delivered through Western Economic Diversification Canada, will help NextSteps Enterprise West Society to train community facilitators from around the province.
NextSteps Enterprise West Society (NEWS) is a B.C. based non-profit society formed in 2006 by a group of four Community Futures Development Corporations. The society was established to develop and deliver programs that support economic and community development across Community Futures regional boundaries.
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Howes
Communications Manager, British Columbia
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616
Jane Lister
Project Manager
NextSteps Enterprise West Society
Telephone: 250-545-2215
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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