L’ISLET, QUEBEC, November 27, 2009—Youth from the Regional County Municipality (RCM) of L’Islet who face barriers to employment will get job-preparation training and work experience through the Government of Canada’s support for a local employment project. Mr. Bernard Généreux, Member of Parliament for Montmagny–L’Islet–Kamouraska–Rivière-du-Loup, 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 youth develop the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Mr. Généreux. “By supporting this project, we are helping youth in L’Islet develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”
The Carrefour jeunesse-emploi of the RCM of L’Islet will receive $302,589 in federal Skills Link funding to support its project entitled Menuiserie Environnement Métallurgie, which will help 21 youth facing employment barriers develop life and job skills to ease their transition to work or return to school.
“Through the Skills Link program, we are happy to provide youth from the RCM of L’Islet with intensive and customized activities that will help them join the labour market,” explained Ms. Rachelle Després, Director General of the Carrefour jeunesse‑emploi of the RCM of L’Islet. “Thanks to Service Canada’s financial contribution and outstanding support, our participants can experience a moment in their lives where they are provided with all the tools they need to take responsibility for their future, discover their true potential and find their place in the job market and in the community.”
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.
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 www.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
The Carrefour jeunesse-emploi of the Regional County Municipality (RCM) of L’Islet is a community organization whose mission is to coach and guide young adults from the RCM of L’Islet aged 16 to 35 in their socio‑professional integration efforts. From August 24, 2009, to September 16, 2011, through its project entitled Menuiserie Environnement Métallurgie, the organization will provide 21 youth who face barriers to employment with the opportunity to develop their interpersonal skills and enhance their autonomy via on‑the‑job experiences.
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. The other two programs are Summer Work Experience and Career Focus.
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.
