CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO, JULY 23, 2010—A post-secondary education graduate will get an opportunity to enhance and develop their employment skills through a Pharos Life Corporation project sponsored by the Government of Canada. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario) and Member of Parliament for Cambridge, 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 Minister of State Goodyear. “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.”
Pharos Life Corporation will receive $14,996 in Career Focus funding to hire a post-secondary marketing graduate to work as a phototherapy marketing specialist. The job placement will allow the graduate to apply the skills acquired through their education and gain hands-on experience.
“This grant is a terrific opportunity for a young graduate to gain world-class experience right in their own backyard,” said Mr. John Kennedy, President and Founder of Pharos Life Corporation. “The graduate will be an integral member of our marketing staff, supporting our expansion in North America and around the world.”
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.
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
Pharos Life Corporation is a Canadian company specializing in phototherapy. The Corporation’s goal is to advance the science of phototherapy to meet the need for affordable at-home light therapies for skincare and tissue repair. From July 26, 2010, to July 22, 2011, Pharos will provide career-related marketing experience to a recent post-secondary graduate, in order to help them gain the knowledge and experience they need to make a successful transition into the labour market. The graduate will assist in the creation and design of marketing materials, organize events, help maintain and update the Corporation’s Web site, as well as coordinate a host of other marketing-related activities.
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.
