CHARLESBOURG, QUEBEC, June 22, 2009—As part of an employment project supported by the Government of Canada, young Canadians in Charlesbourg facing barriers to employment will receive assistance in developing skills that will help them find and keep a quality job or go back to school. Mr. Daniel Petit, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for Charlesbourg–Haute-Saint-Charles, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
“In today’s economic environment, it is more important than ever that we invest in our youth by helping them develop the skills needed to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Mr. Petit. “This internship program will provide youth with an opportunity to gain knowledge and valuable skills, allowing them to reach their full potential.”
In support of this youth program, the Government of Canada has allocated $148,971 to the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi Charlesbourg-Chauveau as part of the Skills Link program.
“It is important to offer adapted services to youth so they can enter the workforce and improve their quality of life,” said Ms. Katia de Pokomandy-Morin, Director General of the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi Charlesbourg-Chauveau. “This project will enable 10 youth in the region to benefit from a stakeholder’s support and guidance and gain a significant employment experience.”
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 this commitment in January when it introduced 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, go on the Internet at servicecanada.gc.ca or visit your local Service Canada Centre.
A backgrounder is attached.
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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
Pascal Doucet
Media Relations Coordinator, Quebec Region
514-982-2384, extension 2209
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
Between April 13, 2009, and December 4, 2009, the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi Charlesbourg-Chauveau will complete an urban landscape project that will include landscape development and citizenship activities. During this project, 10 young people having difficulties entering the labour market will have the opportunity to gain abilities and skills that will help them find a job or go back to school.
One day per week will be spent on citizenship activities that pertain to group living and community life, as well as on skills training activities. Activities will be undertaken in the two boroughs, which will provide some diversity in the nature of the work to be completed, allowing these young people to learn many new things.
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, particularly those 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, including 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 meeting 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 long-term support and services that can help them find and keep a job.
