KITCHENER, ONTARIO, July 14, 2009—Kitchener youth will benefit from a local employment project funded by the Government of Canada. Mr. Stephen Woodworth, Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre, 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 all Canadians have the skills and information they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Mr. Woodworth. “We are pleased to provide young Canadians who are facing employment barriers with an opportunity to gain the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”
The Working Centre will receive $179,780 for its Community Tools project through the Government of Canada’s Skills Link program, helping 10 youth who are facing barriers to employment prepare for and find meaningful work. The program enables youth to take part in workshops, to gain work experience that reflects their individual goals and to understand how they can prepare for and successfully transition to the workforce.
“This funding provides young people with the opportunity to get six months of practical workplace training in a supportive environment where they can learn basic skills,” said Mr. Joe Mancini, Director of The Working Centre.
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
The Working Centre is dedicated to helping youth from the Kitchener-Waterloo area achieve their full potential. Between June 29, 2009, and June 18, 2010, the organization, through the workshops and work experience offered by its Community Tools project, will provide employability and life skills to 10 youth facing barriers to employment, easing their transition into the job market.
As part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link program is one of three programs that help young Canadians who are facing employment barriers obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed.
Skills Link focuses on helping youth who are 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.
