LINDSAY, ONTARIO, APRIL 30, 2010—Post-secondary education graduates will get an opportunity to enhance and develop their employment skills through a Gamiing Nature Centre project sponsored by the Government of Canada. Mr. Barry Devolin, Member of Parliament for Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock, 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. Devolin. “Our government is proud to support projects that offer post-secondary graduates the opportunity to develop the skills and gain the experience that will help them reach their full potential.”
Gamiing Nature Centre will receive $29,120 in Career Focus funding to help two recent post-secondary graduates gain hands-on experience and apply the skills they acquired through their education.
“On behalf of the Board, staff, volunteers and the community, I would like to express our appreciation for the continuing financial support of Service Canada,” said Ms. Mieke Schipper, Volunteer Executive Director, Gamiing Nature Centre. “We have been working together for the last few years, and the funding has allowed us to hire quality college and university graduates for internships both benefiting them and our organization. Gamiing Nature Centre would not have been able to offer the outdoor education programs and lakeshore and forestry projects without this funding.”
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 get jobs and contribute to their communities.
Career Focus 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 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 Career Focus 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, visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca, call 1 800 O‑Canada 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
Established in 1996, Gamiing Nature Centre is a non-profit organization that provides educational and hands-on demonstrations of ecologically sound practices related to lakes and lakeshores. Between April 19, 2010, and October 15, 2010, the organization will provide career-related experience for two recent post-secondary graduates to help them gain knowledge and experience in the field of education and environmental conservatism, in order to enable their transition into the labour market. One participant will be hired as an outdoor education intern to assist with course planning and development, and the other will be hired as a native nursery youth intern to assist with the Centre’s gardens.
As part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, the Career Focus 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 Skills Link.
Career Focus links highly skilled, post-secondary youth with potential employers who can provide them with career-related work experience and help them acquire advanced employment skills to facilitate their transition into the rapidly changing labour market.
