WHITEHORSE, YUKON, July 12, 2011—A person with disabilities will gain employability skills through the Government of Canada’s support for work experience projects. Mr. Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, 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 MP Leef. “By supporting projects like this, our government is helping Canadians with disabilities maximize their potential and independence.”
With assistance from the federal Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, Challenge Community Vocational Alternatives will hire an individual with a disability to assist in the maintenance of planter boxes around the City of Whitehorse. The participant will work with a job coach and learn how to identify and care for plants. The project will provide hands-on work experience leading to potential employment, including practicing workplace skills such as communication, decision-making and the ability to work independently.
Challenge Community Vocational Alternatives will receive over $8,000 under the Work Experience component of the Opportunities Fund.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Ann Matejicka
Director of Communications
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
The Government of Canada is committed to breaking down barriers that prevent Canadians with disabilities from reaching their full potential through a wide range of effective policies, programs and services.
The Work Experience component of 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.
The Opportunities Fund is part of the Government of Canada’s strategy aimed at building the most educated, most competent and most flexible workforce in the world. The government highlighted its commitment to this strategy in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. One of the key elements of the Plan consists of increasing and improving opportunities available to Canadian workers through skills development. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
