SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, May 15, 2009—Surrey youth will benefit from the Government of Canada’s support of a local employment project. Ms. Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament for Fleetwood–Port Kells, 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 our youth develop the skills needed to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Ms. Grewal. “We are pleased to provide young Canadians with an opportunity to gain the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”
The Pathfinder Youth Centre Society will receive $237,729 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Working Together 7 project, which will help 12 youth facing employment barriers prepare for and find meaningful employment or return to school.
“We at the Pathfinder Youth Centre Society are grateful for the funding provided by the Government of Canada,” said Ms. Ruth Lee, Executive Director of the Pathfinder Youth Centre Society. “This allows us to continue to guide youth towards better opportunities, and to build a stronger community.”
The federal government is working with the provinces and territories, communities and other stakeholders to provide Canadians with the training, skills and opportunities they need to participate in the workforce and contribute to their communities.
Skills Link 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 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
The Pathfinder Youth Centre Society is dedicated to supporting at-risk youth in achieving their full potential by providing life and employability skills and educational and recreational programs in a safe and supportive environment. The heart of the society is its mentorship program. The key to Pathfinder’s successful connection with youth is the one-on-one mentoring the organization provides to participants both during and after the completion of their intervention. Between May 4, 2009, and November 27, 2009, Pathfinder will help 12 youth overcome their barriers in entering the labour market or returning to school through their participation in an employability skills through community service intervention.
As part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link program is one of three 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.
