VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, June 12, 2009—Vancouver youth will benefit from the Government of Canada’s support of a local employment project. Ms. Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Richmond, 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 youth develop the skills needed to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Ms. Wong. “Through this project, and others like it, we are helping young Canadians facing employment barriers gain the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. will receive $371,006 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Youth Employment Program. This program will help a minimum of 28 youth, all of whom face a number of barriers to employment, prepare for jobs or return to school.
“We work with many young people through a variety of programs, and many of these clients have lived in conditions that few of us can even imagine,” said Mr. Tung Chan, Chief Executive Officer of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. “While we cannot change their past, we can certainly show them the way to a brighter future. This funding will allow us to help young people overcome specific barriers, and empower them to make quantum changes in order to integrate into the community.”
The federal government is working with the provinces and territories, community organizations 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. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is a non-profit charitable organization that has been promoting the well-being of Canadians and immigrants since 1973. Between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010, the organization will deliver group-based employability skills through a work experience project to a minimum of 28 at-risk youth, ages 15 to 30 inclusive, with multiple barriers to employment and who lack the social and personal supports required to acquire and maintain employment. These youth must be legally entitled to work in Canada, Canadian citizens or permanent residents or persons on whom refugee status has been conferred, not in receipt of Employment Insurance benefits, and not in school.
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.
