KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA, NOVEMBER 10, 2010-Thanks to support from the Government of Canada, the ASK Wellness Centre will provide job preparation training and work experience through three employment projects. Ms. Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops–Thompson–Cariboo, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
"We are pleased to be working with the ASK Wellness Centre in Kamloops," said Ms. McLeod. "Through partnerships like these ones, we can help our most vulnerable citizens obtain the necessary skills to become self-sufficient and find employment."
With assistance from the federal Skills Link program, the ASK Wellness Centre will help eight youth develop the skills and experience needed to find a job or the confidence to return to school. Participants will gain valuable experience by working with ASK to help decrease homelessness and poverty in the community.
Additionally, the Centre will receive support under the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, which will help seven individuals with disabilities gain the skills they need to obtain jobs.
Finally, the organization will receive support from the Career Focus program to hire a post-secondary graduate as an administrative assistant. The job placement will allow the graduate to gain valuable career-related experience, while helping ASK achieve its mandate of assisting Kamloops' most vulnerable population.
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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
As part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, Skills Link and Career Focus are two 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 program is Summer Work Experience.
Skills Link 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, client centered approach offering longer-term supports and services that can help them find and keep a job, based on an individual's specific needs.
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.
The Opportunities Fund is designed to help Canadians with disabilities who have little or no work experience, and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance benefits. The Fund is available to eligible organizations that provide opportunities for people with disabilities to gain unpaid work experience leading to potential employment.
