Bolton, ontario, April 6, 2009—Bolton area youth will benefit from the Government of Canada’s investment in a local employment project. Mr. Dave Tilson, Member of Parliament for Dufferin–Caledon, made the announcement today 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 Mr. Tilson. “We are pleased to provide young Canadians facing employment barriers with the opportunity to gain the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”
Caledon Community Services will receive over $395,000 in federal Skills Link funding to support its LIFE for Youth project. This project will help 24 young Canadians facing employment barriers prepare for and find meaningful employment.
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 its commitment to this strategy in 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, visit servicecanada.gc.ca or drop by 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
Caledon Community Services is a multi-service, community-based organization that supports residents in the Municipality of Caledon, Ontario. Between April 1, 2009, and January 3, 2010, the organization, through its LIFE for Youth project, will help 24 youth facing employment barriers gain employment skills and make the transition to the job market through work experience, and life and employability workshops.
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 to 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.
