SUMMERSIDE, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, JULY 22, 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 Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Egmont, 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 Shea. “By supporting this project, we are helping Summerside youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”
The City of Summerside will receive $99,029 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Youth in Bloom project, which will help 10 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.
“The City of Summerside has been involved with the Youth in Bloom project since 2003, and during that time, the participants have worked on a number of terrific projects within the City,” said His Worship Basil Stewart, Mayor of Summerside. “It is a win-win for everyone; the youth benefit by learning new skills, while the City is able to enjoy the beautification of our green space areas.”
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
The 10 youth participating in the City of Summerside’s Youth in Bloom project will attend employability workshops, as well as take part in a variety of community projects. Workshops will focus on such topics as communications, thinking and problem solving, teamwork and job preparation skills. The community projects will allow the participants to gain work experience and put into practice the knowledge and skills gained during the workshops while helping to improve their city.
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.
