FORTUNE, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, August 7, 2009—Unemployed workers facing barriers to employment in Fortune will benefit from support by the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador for a local employment project. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, along with the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment for Newfoundland and Labrador.
“We are pleased to be working with our provincial partners to strengthen Canada’s economy by investing in our workforce,” said Minister MacKay. “This project will help unemployed residents of the Fortune area develop the skills and experience they need to become employed.”
The Fortune Community and Youth Centre will receive $312,207 under the Government of Canada’s Employment Assistance Services program. This funding will help the Centre deliver employment-related services to 2,000 unemployed persons, helping them prepare for, obtain and maintain employment.
“Newfoundland and Labrador is very pleased to join our federal partners in support of the Fortune Community and Youth Centre under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement,” said Minister Sullivan. “These types of employment and training benefits ensure that individuals have access to the supports they need to succeed in our labour market, while helping employers access the skilled workforce they need to compete. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador looks forward to continuing to support individuals and organizations as we assume responsibility for delivering Labour Market Development Agreement employment benefits and measures in November.”
The Employment Assistance Services program is one of a broad range of Employment Insurance training programs that help unemployed Canadians quickly find work and serve to develop a skilled labour force that meets current and emerging needs of employers.
It 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 Employment Assistance Services 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.
Under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement, effective November 2009, the Province will assume responsibility for the design and delivery of Employment Insurance-funded Employment Benefits and Support Measures. The Government of Canada will provide funding directly to the Province to deliver these programs.
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This news release is available in alternative formats on request.
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
National Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 709-690-2498
jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca
Between July 5, 2009, and July 2, 2010, the Fortune Community and Youth Centre will deliver employment-related services to 2,000 unemployed persons, helping them prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. The Centre will conduct client assessments for unemployed individuals who face barriers to employment, complete employment counselling interventions to help them identify and work to resolve their barriers to employment, and assist them in developing a Return to Work Action Plan. It will also conduct general information sessions to provide information on employment programs and services that can assist clients with their return to the labour market.
The Employment Assistance Services program provides funding to organizations that offer employment services to help clients re-enter the labour market. Funding for the program was provided in the March 2007 federal budget.
All unemployed Canadians have access to a range of services under the program. However, some services are available only to clients who are eligible to receive Employment Insurance benefits, or who have recently been receiving them.
Employment Assistance Services include providing clients with information about the labour market, helping prepare résumés, career-planning services, employment counselling, diagnostic assessment, help with job search skills, job-finding clubs and job placement services.
Eligible recipients of the program’s funding are businesses, including federal and provincial/territorial Crown corporations, organizations, public health and educational institutions, municipal governments and band/tribal councils, as well as some provincial/territorial government departments and agencies. These entities act as employers or service coordinators under the program.
This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with Service Canada’s administration of its grants and contributions programs and is subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.
