TORONTO, ONTARIO, February 17, 2010—Youth will gain on-the-job training that will help them find jobs in the electricity and renewable energy industry. The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced Government of Canada support for an Electricity Sector Council project.
“In today’s environment, it’s more important than ever for young Canadians to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Minister Paradis. “Through this partnership with the Electricity Sector Council, we will be helping youth enhance their skills and get work experience in electricity and renewable energy.”
The Council will receive $624,968 in funding for its Career Focus Initiative project, which will provide on-the-job training and mentoring to help 45 to 60 young adults develop the skills they need for long-term employment in the sector. The industry believes that developing a skilled workforce is important to help prepare for upcoming retirements and skills shortages.
The funding is being provided through the Sectoral Career Focus Program, which is one component of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy. Through this program, the Government supports sector councils and cross-sectoral organizations to provide post-secondary graduates with practical career-related work experience to supplement their academic skills for careers in the private and non‑profit sectors.
Sector councils are national partnership organizations that bring together business, labour and educational stakeholders. Operating at arm’s length from the Government of Canada, sector councils are a platform for stakeholders to share ideas, concerns and perspectives about human resources and skills issues, and, in a collective, collaborative and sustained manner, find solutions that benefit their sector.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
Please visit Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s Web site at www.hrsdc.gc.ca.
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
About the Sectoral Career Focus Program
The Sectoral Career Focus Program is one component of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy. Through this program, the Government supports sector councils and cross-sectoral organizations to provide post-secondary graduates with practical career-related work experience to supplement their academic skills for careers in the private and non-profit sectors.
The Program links highly skilled young people with potential employers, and offers financial support to Canadian employers and organizations to provide a combination of career-related work experience and innovative skills development and learning opportunities.
Through sector councils, employers can offer new services and learning opportunities to workers.
About sector councils
Sector councils are national partnership organizations that bring together business, labour and educational stakeholders. Operating at arm’s length from the Government of Canada, they are a platform for stakeholders to share ideas, concerns and perspectives about human resources and skills issues, and, in a collective, collaborative and sustained manner, find solutions that benefit their sector.
Through the Sector Council Program, the Government is working with the private sector to enhance adult workers’ skills through activities such as increasing employer investments in skills development and promoting workplace learning and training.
About the organization
Created in 2005, the Electricity Sector Council is a not-for-profit partnership between business, labour, education and government. Its mandate is to address the need for sector-wide recruitment and retention strategies.
The Electricity Sector Council is funded by the Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program and other industry stakeholders. It develops sector-based initiatives that help stakeholders in the electricity industry meet their current and future needs for a skilled and internationally competitive workforce.
