MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK, November 12, 2009—Local youth who face barriers to employment will get job-preparation training and work experience through the Government of Canada’s support for an employment project. Mr. Rob Moore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal, 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. Moore. “By supporting this project, we are helping Moncton youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”
Moncton Employment and Training Services (METS) will receive $75,048 in federal Skills Link funding to support its METS Skills Development Fall 2009 project, which will help seven youth facing employment barriers develop life and job skills to ease their transition to work or return to school.
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.
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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
Moncton Employment and Training Services (METS) is a non-profit organization with a mandate to provide valued services and support to people with intellectual disabilities through training, personal development, community placements and employment. The METS Skills Development Fall 2009 project will offer participants employability and life skills workshops, as well as community placements to help them gain the skills and experience they need to get a job. Between October 19, 2009, and April 17, 2010, this project will help seven youth with intellectual disabilities who face barriers to employment make the transition into the labour market or return to school.
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.
