BROCKVILLE, ONTARIO, JULY 6, 2010—People with disabilities will get help preparing for jobs as a result of the Government of Canada’s support for Career Services of Brockville. Mr. Gord Brown, Member of Parliament for Leeds–Grenville, 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 all Canadians have the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Mr. Brown. “By supporting this project, our government is helping Canadians with disabilities maximize their potential and independence.”
Career Services of Brockville will receive $64,768 under the Community Coordinator component of the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. This project will help a total of 47 people with intellectual disabilities gain the skills they need to obtain jobs.
“We are pleased to receive these funds,” said Mr. Alec Thomas, Executive Director, Career Services of Brockville. “This funding will allow us to provide 47 individuals, right here in our community, with opportunities to gain or maintain employment. Clearly, the Opportunities Fund is an aptly named program, but it is also a valuable tool for Career Services in providing the right help at the right time to assist these individuals in experiencing success.”
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 the their communities.
The Opportunities Fund helps support an array of activities, such as increasing employability skills, providing work experience and preparing individuals for self-employment. The Government of Canada is committed to breaking down barriers that prevent Canadians with disabilities from reaching their full potential with a wide range of effective policies, programs and services.
The Fund 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.
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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
Career Services of Brockville is a non-profit agency that provides rehabilitation services for adults with disabilities. Since 1972, this agency has focused on the inclusion of individuals facing barriers in the workforce. From June 1, 2010, to March 31, 2011, Career Services of Brockville will coordinate employment assistance services and other support to help 47 people with disabilities prepare for, obtain and maintain employment or return to school.
The Community Coordinator component of the Opportunities Fund is designed to support projects that help Canadians with disabilities develop the broad range of skills and work experience they need to participate in the job market. It is available to eligible organizations that enter into agreements with eligible participants and employers in support of activities that further Opportunities Fund objectives.
