SAINTE-THÉRÈSE, QUEBEC, JUNE 3, 2010—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. The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, made the announcement today.
“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 Minister Finley. “By supporting this project, we are helping youth in the regional county municipalities of Thérèse-De Blainville and Les Moulins develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”
The Resto Pop Thérèse-De Blainville will receive $94,391 in federal Skills Link funding for a project that will help six 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.
“It is important to provide services adapted to youth so they can integrate into the labour market and improve their quality of life,” said Mr. Louis Kemp, President of the Resto Pop Thérèse-De Blainville. “This project will enable six young people in the region to benefit from the support and guidance of specialized workers, and to have a meaningful work experience.”
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.
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
The Resto Pop Thérèse-De Blainville serves affordable meals to people on limited incomes, as well as to students in six primary schools, promotes the social integration of individuals who would like to re-enter the labour market, and provides a place where people facing difficulties can meet with others and break out of their isolation. Between March 1 and September 17, 2010, the organization will help six youth in the regional county municipalities of Thérèse-De-Blainville and Les Moulins develop basic skills to help them integrate 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.
