HAMMOND PLAINS, NOVA SCOTIA, July 9, 2009—Boxing Nova Scotia is providing a local youth facing employment barriers with mentoring and targeted work experience thanks to support from the Government of Canada. The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, Minister for the Atlantic Gateway and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, 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 young people develop the skills needed to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Minister MacKay. “By supporting projects like this one, we are helping young Nova Scotians develop the skills, knowledge and experience they need to reach their full potential.”
Boxing Nova Scotia will receive $17,432 in funding under the Individual Work Experience component of the federal Skills Link program to hire a Nova Scotia youth who faces employment barriers to work as a coach for young female athletes interested in amateur boxing. The skills learned through this targeted work experience should lead to ongoing employment, enabling a successful transition to the workforce.
“The assistance is a good fit for this individual, and she’s a good fit for it,” said Mr. John Sansom, Vice-President of Halifax’s Citadel Amateur Boxing Club and an executive member of Boxing Nova Scotia. “It will allow her to dedicate a year to upgrading her coaching skills and leadership qualities, and will offer an opportunity to get involved in the organization and general administration of competitions.”
The federal government works 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.
- 30 -
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
A member of Boxing Canada, Boxing Nova Scotia ensures uniform rules and regulations governing amateur boxing in the province, provides training to coaches and officials, and coordinates provincial competitions and provincial team programs. The organization will provide a 52-week coaching and program development experience to a local youth. During this time, the youth will help develop an introductory and competitive program for young female athletes interested in amateur boxing; train program entrants; provide coaching, referee and judging clinics; and organize competition opportunities for program participants. The skills learned will help the youth achieve national accreditation as a level IV boxing coach, which should lead to ongoing employment and a successful transition to the workforce.
As part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link program is one of three 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. Work experience can be arranged on an individual or group basis, with participants receiving a wage equal to or exceeding the provincial/territorial minimum wage. The Government of Canada’s contribution will not exceed the provincial/territorial minimum wage rate.
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.
