NEW WESTMINSTER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, April 6, 2009—Two local employment projects will help young Canadians explore career options and prepare for jobs in trades and tourism thanks to support from the Government of Canada. The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Port Moody–Westwood–Port Coquitlam, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
“In today’s environment, it is more important than ever that young Canadians have the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Minister Moore. “We are pleased to not only be educating our youth about careers in the high-demand trade and tourism sectors, but also helping them develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”
The UFCW Local 247 Training and Education Centre Society will receive over $902,000 in federal Skills Link funding to support two of its youth employment projects. The Discovery to Apprenticeship project will help 42 youth facing barriers to employment explore and prepare for trade sector jobs. The Discovery to Hospitality, Tourism and Retail project will help 52 youth facing barriers to employment prepare for jobs in the tourism sector or return to school.
The federal government is working in partnership with stakeholders to make sure that Canadians get the training, skills and opportunities they need to participate in the work force and contribute to the quality of life in their communities.
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.
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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
Founded in 1994, the UFCW Local 247 Training and Education Centre Society’s goal is to encourage all members to reach their full potential by creating a bridge to lifelong learning. In addition, the Society has a strong focus on community service, and offers a range of employment programs to serve both employed and unemployed workers in the New Westminster area.
Between March 2009 and March 2010, the Society will deliver two Skills Link-funded projects targeted to young Canadians. The Discovery to Apprenticeship project will deliver group-based skills and trade sector work experience to 42 at-risk youth facing multiple barriers to employment. Through its Discovery to Hospitality, Tourism and Retail project, the organization will help 52 youth facing barriers to employment explore tourism sector careers and develop skills that will help them prepare for jobs or return to school.
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 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 young persons with disabilities, Aboriginal youth, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, youth who have dropped out of high school, and single parents. 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.
