NANAIMO, BRITISH COLUMBIA, May 25, 2009—Today, the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade, Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, announced that the federal government will support Nanaimo youth who face barriers to employment by helping them develop the skills needed to find and keep quality jobs.
“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 Minister Day. “We are proud to provide young Canadians with an opportunity to gain the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”
The Nanaimo Foodshare Society will receive $164,305 in federal Skills Link funding to support the Home Grown Youth Employability Project. Through this project, the organization will help 10 young Canadians facing employment barriers prepare for and find meaningful employment.
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
Between May 18, 2009, and January 22, 2010, the Nanaimo Foodshare Society, via the Home Grown Youth Employability Project, will provide a 30-week employability skills program to assist 10 at-risk youth participants from the Nanaimo area who face employment barriers. This will provide the participants with knowledge, skills enhancement and practical on-the-job work experience to assist them in making a successful transition into the labour force.
As part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link program helps young Canadians 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.
