BRANDON, MANITOBA, OCTOBER 25, 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. Merv Tweed, Member of Parliament for Brandon–Souris, 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. Tweed. "By supporting this project, we are helping Brandon youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential."
The Optimist Club of Brandon will receive over $250,000 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Career and Employment Youth Services program, which will help up to 360 youth facing barriers to employment prepare for the labour market or gain the confidence to return to school.
Skills Link focuses on helping youth facing barriers to employment, such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young people with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school.
"This funding is essential for our young people who are seeking employment in the Brandon area," said Mr. Richard Greer, Project Coordinator, Career and Employment Youth Services. "Through this project, we are helping youth gain the tools they need to start their career paths."
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 Optimist Club of Brandon, through its Career and Employment Youth Services (CEYS) program, provides individualized support to help youth overcome barriers to employment and develop the skills and knowledge required to participate in the labour market. CEYS staff will work closely with youth participating in the program to assess their needs, help them choose a career path and assist them in the development of an action plan. The participants will then work on their action plans while the organization assists them in meeting their employment goals.
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 people 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.
