SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK, JANUARY 26, 2011-A post-secondary graduate will get the opportunity to enhance and develop his or her job skills through the Government of Canada's support for a youth employment project. Rodney Weston, Member of Parliament for Saint John, 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 MP Rodney Weston. "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."
With assistance from the federal Career Focus program, the Boys and Girls Club of Saint John will hire a post-secondary graduate as a learning centre coordinator. Duties will include organizing, instructing and supervising programs for students and children. The job placement will allow the graduate to apply the skills acquired through his or her education.
The Boys and Girls Club of Saint John will receive a total of over $14,000 in Career Focus funding for its youth employment project.
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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, 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 young post-secondary graduates 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.
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.
Youth employment programs are also 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 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.
