EDMONTON, ALBERTA, November 20, 2009—Young members of the community will have the opportunity to learn about career and education opportunities and connect with employers as a result of support from the Government of Canada. Mr. Laurie Hawn, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, made the announcement today at the opening ceremonies for Edmonton’s Canada Career Week Fair 2009.
“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. Hawn. “Our government is proud to support activities that encourage citizens to use their talents, skills and resources to help them learn, work and participate in their communities.”
Edmonton’s Canada Career Week Fair 2009 will receive $36,000 through the Government of Canada’s Youth Awareness program. This two-day career information and job fair will be held today, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and tomorrow, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., at the Edmonton Expo Centre.
“We would like to thank the federal government for their contribution,” said Ms. Clare Denman, Producer of the Canada Career Week Fair and Senior Manager of Currie Communications. “It is due to the generosity of our funding partners that our community’s youth will have the opportunity to meet over 150 employers under one roof.”
The Youth Awareness program is part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world.
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government is increasing funding for Canada Summer Jobs by $10 million per year in 2009 and 2010 to help create additional summer jobs for students. Federal public service student employment programs will also receive an additional $20 million over the next two years to enhance student employment in the federal public service.
In addition, the Government is investing up to $40 million per year in the new Apprenticeship Completion Grant through its Economic Action Plan. It is a $2,000 grant to those who successfully complete their apprenticeship training and become certified journeypersons in a designated Red Seal trade. This grant builds on and enhances the current Apprenticeship Incentive Grant.
Under the existing Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, apprentices are already eligible for a $1,000 grant when they complete the first and/or second level of their apprenticeship program in a designated Red Seal trade, to a maximum of $2,000.
Furthermore, the Government recently implemented significant improvements to student financial assistance measures to help students gain access to post‑secondary education and better manage their debt.
The Youth Awareness 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 www.servicecanada.gc.ca, or visit your local Service Canada Centre.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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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
Edmonton’s Canada Career Week Fair 2009 promotes career and education opportunities to Albertans and connects employers with potential employees. This two-day career information and job fair will be held on November 20, 2009, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and November 21, 2009, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., at the Edmonton Expo Centre (Northlands Agricom Edmonton). This year’s fair will feature approximately 175 exhibits and is expected to draw more than 7,500 visitors. It will consist of information sessions, presentations, skills demonstrations and workshops. The presentations will bring a wide range of career choices to the forefront, such as emergency services, design and fashion and robotics, while the skills demonstrations will promote skilled trades and technologies as a first choice career option for Alberta youth. The information sessions and workshops will feature employment specialists who can help individuals identify their next career step.
The federal Youth Awareness program, funded under Employment Insurance Part II, targets projects that respond to specific labour market requirements and adjustments over time, and aims to promote youth as the workforce of the future among recipients, employers, communities and young Canadians.
Canada Summer Jobs is an initiative of the Summer Work Experience program. It provides funding for not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers, and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to create high-quality summer job opportunities for students between the ages of 15 and 30.
The Government of Canada operates three programs to help Canadian students from all parts of the country gain valuable skills and work experience within the public service. These programs are the Federal Student Work Experience Program, the Co-operative Education and Internship Program, and the Research Affiliate Program. Students who complete these programs may be hired or “bridged” into a wide range of federal public service jobs.
The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a $2,000 taxable cash grant to registered apprentices who complete their training, and become certified journeypersons in a designated Red Seal trade. The ACG will provide an additional incentive for young Canadians to finish their training and launch rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant is a $1,000 taxable cash grant to registered apprentices when they complete the first and/or second level of their apprenticeship program in a designated Red Seal trade, to a maximum of $2,000. When combined with the ACG, apprentices who complete their training and become certified journeypersons in a designated Red Seal trade could be eligible to receive up to $4,000.
The new Canada Student Grants Program will help students across Canada lower their debt once they finish their post-secondary education. This program will reach over 245,000 students annually, including 105,000 recipients from low- and middle‑income families who did not previously qualify for a grant. Students are not required to pay the grant money back.
The new federal Repayment Assistance Plan is available for student loan borrowers who are having difficulty making their Canada Student Loan payments.
