BLAIRMORE, ALBERTA, May 10, 2010—Local youth who face barriers to employment will get work experience through the Government of Canada’s support for an employment project. Mr. Ted Menzies, Member of Parliament for Macleod and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, 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. Menzies. “By supporting this project, we are helping Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”
Karen Appleby will receive $116,864 in federal Skills Link funding to support the Youth Works 2010 project, which will help 34 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, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school.
“Many of our local youth face employment barriers,” said Ms. Karen Appleby, Employment Counsellor for the Youth Works 2010-2012 project. “The Youth Works project can assist by providing a work experience placement subsidy for employers that ideally leads to long-term employment. Youth may also be assisted with work-related expenses such as work clothing or tools.”
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.
Through the 2010 “Jobs and Growth Budget,” the Government of Canada committed an additional $60 million to the Skills Link and Career Focus programs. This additional one-time investment will enable more young Canadians to gain the experience and skills they need to successfully participate in the labour market while the economy recovers.
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, 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
Youth Works is a local project designed to advance employment and training opportunities for out-of-school, at-risk rural youth by helping them connect with the labour market. The project, managed by Karen Appleby, receives funding from Alberta Employment and Immigration and the Government of Canada. Between May 10, 2010, and March 30, 2012, Karen Appleby will provide client assessment, case management and work experience placements for 34 rural youth with employment barriers in the Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass area, to assist them in obtaining employment or returning 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, 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.
