SELKIRK, MANITOBA, May 20, 2009-Selkirk youth will benefit from the Government of Canada's support of a local employment project. Mr. James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk–Interlake, 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 Mr. Bezan. "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."
KL Consulting will receive $163,631 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Options Employment Services for Youth project. This project will provide client assessment to 150 youth, case management to 50 youth and monitored work experience to 12 youth facing employment barriers, in order to help them prepare for and find meaningful employment or return to school.
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.
"The Government of Manitoba wants to ensure that youth have the skills they need to participate in the labour market today and in the future," said the Honourable Peter Bjornson, Minister of Education, Citizenship and Youth. "The continued success of the Options program depends on employers in the Interlake region that have provided important work and volunteer placements for youth. This shared commitment to support youth in their personal and employment development brings us together and has seen successful results for young people in the Selkirk area."
"Since 2003, Options Employment Services for Youth has worked with at-risk youth aged 16 to 30 in the Selkirk and Interlake regions," said Ms. Danielle Kirton of Options Employment Services for Youth. "Skills Link funding has enabled our program to provide comprehensive pre-employment and life skills development by way of workshops and employment sessions, a fully functional employment resource centre, and work experience placements."
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 Options Employment Services for Youth project is dedicated to helping at-risk youth achieve their full potential by creating opportunities for them to explore their career futures, gain valuable work skills and build their self-confidence. Between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010, the project will provide client assessment to 150 youth, case management to 50 youth and monitored work experience to 12 youth with barriers to employment. The goal of the Options project is to help the participants develop a broad range of skills and knowledge that will enable them to successfully transition to employment, education, training programs or subsequent interventions.
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.
