MEDICINE HAT, ALBERTA, April 24, 2009—Persons with disabilities will get help preparing for jobs or becoming self-employed thanks to the Government of Canada’s support for a local employment program. Mr. LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat, 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 all Canadians have the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Mr. Payne. “By supporting these projects, our government is helping Canadians with disabilities maximize their potential and independence.”
Community Employment Services will receive $74,993 under the Community Coordinator component of the Opportunities Fund for its Opening Doors to Opportunities project, which will help 18 persons with disabilities find and maintain meaningful employment, or return to school.
“We are pleased to receive federal support for our Opening Doors to Opportunities project, which allows us to help those with disabilities enter or re-enter the workforce,” said Mr. Darren Lukasiewich, Manager of Community Employment Services. “Without the support, encouragement and opportunities provided by programs such as ours, many individuals would struggle to succeed in the work world. This program opens doors that may otherwise not have been possible for those with disabilities.”
The federal government is working with stakeholders to make sure that Canadians get the training, skills and opportunities they need to participate in the workforce and contribute to the quality of life in their communities.
The Opportunities Fund helps support an array of activities, such as increasing employability skills, providing work experience and preparing individuals for self‑employment. The Government of Canada is committed to breaking down barriers that prevent Canadians from reaching their full potential with a wide range of effective policies, programs and services tailored to people with disabilities.
The Opportunities Fund is part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce 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.
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
For more than 20 years, Community Employment Services has provided employment skills training programs to clients and persons with disabilities through various programs. Between April 1, 2009, and September 30, 2010, the organization will provide 18 persons with disabilities in the Medicine Hat area with a variety of employment-related services, in order to help them prepare for, obtain and maintain employment or return to school.
The Community Coordinator component of the Opportunities Fund helps Canadians with disabilities who have little or no work experience and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance benefits. It works with community organizations and the private sector to support projects that help Canadians with disabilities develop the skills and work experience they need to participate in the job market.
