ALBERTON, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, November 29, 2010-Thanks to support from the Government of Canada, the Kids West Family Resource Centre will provide an individual with a disability with the opportunity to acquire employability skills and work experience. The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, 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 all Canadians have the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market," said Minister Shea. "By supporting projects like this one, our government is helping Canadians with disabilities maximize their potential and independence."
With assistance from the federal Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities program, the Kids West Family Resource Centre will will help an individual with a disability gain the skills he needs to find lasting employment.
The announced funding will enable the Centre to hire an individual with a disability to work as an administrative and public relations assistant. The work placement will allow the individual to gain hands-on experience leading to ongoing employment.
"The Kids West Family Resource Centre is extremely pleased to have received funding through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities," said Ms. Jessica Dorgan-Trail, Executive Director of the Kids West Family Resource Centre. "We discovered the ideal candidate, and our grassroots organization welcomes the opportunity to have him as part of our team. His personality and skills make him a wonderful asset to our staff."
The Opportunities Fund helps support an array of activities, such as increasing employability skills, providing work experience and preparing individuals for self employment.
The Kids West Family Resource Centre will receive over $10,000 under the Wage Subsidy component of the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities.
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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 Opportunities Fund helps support an array of activities, such as increasing employability skills, providing work experience and preparing individuals for self employment. The Government of Canada is committed to breaking down barriers that prevent Canadians with disabilities from reaching their full potential with a wide range of effective policies, programs and services.
The Fund 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.
