BROCKVILLE, ONTARIO, OCTOBER 27, 2010-Post-secondary graduates will get an opportunity to enhance and develop their employment skills through an Employment and Education Centre project sponsored by the Government of Canada. Mr. Gordon Brown, Member of Parliament for Leeds–Grenville, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable DianeFinley, 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. Brown. "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."
The Employment and Education Centre will receive over $90,000 in Career Focus funding to support its project entitled On Your Way. This project will help 10 recent post-secondary graduates apply the skills they acquired through their education.
"This is a great program to give graduates added employability skills and experience, especially during this economic climate," said Ms. Sherri Simzer, Executive Director, Employment and Education Centre.
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 1800O-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 Employment and Education Centre is a non-profit agency that provides education, employment, volunteering and financial counselling services. These services give people the training and experience they need to enter the workforce. From October 25, 2010, to March 25, 2011, the project participants will take part in employability workshops that focus on topics such as teamwork, communication and career management. They will also gain experience through work placements related to their field of study.
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.
