SIOUX LOOKOUT, ONTARIO, AUGUST 13, 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. Mr. Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, 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. Rickford. “By supporting this project, we are helping Sioux Lookout youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”
The Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board will receive over $90,000 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Clerical/Seniors Project, which will help 28 on‑reserve Aboriginal 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.
“Having lived and worked in remote First Nations communities, I know how important this work experience will be for these youth,” said Mr. Rickford. “Through these jobs, they may find greater clarity for future employment or training choices, as well as apply knowledge and skills they have learned in school and gain important confidence.”
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 Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board helps address the employment and training needs of the region, which covers over 200,000 square kilometres. The project will target on-reserve Aboriginal youth living in remote areas, who will work closely with advisors to develop an action plan that is tailored to their employment needs and career goals. These youth will then participate in a work placement that reflects the objectives outlined in their action plans.
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.
