REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN, October 15, 2010 - Post-secondary graduates will get an opportunity to enhance and develop their employment skills through a YMCA of Regina project sponsored by the Government of Canada. Mr. Tom Lukiwski, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre, 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. Lukiwski. "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 YMCA of Regina will receive over $970,000 in Career Focus funding to support its Post-Secondary Graduate Eco Internship Program. This funding will help 60 recent post-secondary graduates apply their educational skills through paid internships within the non-profit, public and private sectors.
"The YMCA is excited to partner with the Government of Canada on this important employment initiative that will assist young people through our national employment and community engagement strategies," said Mr. Scott Haldane, President and Chief Executive Officer of YMCA Canada. "Canadian youth are struggling with high levels of unemployment. These internships in both the not for profit and commercial sectors will provide youth with valuable training, skills and work experience as they prepare to join the workforce of tomorrow."
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
The YMCA of Regina is a charitable organization that serves people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities through a variety of programs and initiatives, and encourages them to get involved in helping make their community a better place. The Post-Secondary Graduate Eco Internship Program enables post-secondary graduates from diverse backgrounds to participate in paid internships that have a focus on the environment. These internships, offered within a wide range of organizations, help young graduates learn the skills required to gain and sustain future employment.
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 post-graduate 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.
