Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, August 31, 2011—People who face barriers to employment will get work experience through government support for two employment projects. The announcement was made by Mr. Randy Hoback, Member of Parliament for Prince Albert, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and by the Honourable Darryl Hickie, Minister of Municipal Affairs for Saskatchewan, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Norris, Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration for Saskatchewan.
“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 Mr. Hoback. “By supporting these projects, our government is helping young people and Canadians with disabilities maximize their potential.”
The Prince Albert and District Community Service Centre’s Creating Self-Sufficiency project will receive more than $46,000 in federal funding from the Enhanced Employment Assistance Services component of the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. The organization will also receive close to $28,000 in Skills Link funding for its Community Service Centre project.
“Saskatchewan continues to be a place of great opportunity for our citizens,” Minister Hickie said. “Through our Career and Employment Services branch, the Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to contribute $163,000 to these projects, which are helping more people to seize those opportunities and to realize the ‘Saskatchewan Advantage.’”
The Opportunities Fund contribution will enable the Creating Self-Sufficiency project to help 24 people with disabilities find jobs or go back to school. Through the Skills Link project funding, the organization will help 15 young people overcome the hurdles that prevent them from getting jobs or pursuing their education.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Richelle Bourgoin
Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration
306-787-8153
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
The Enhanced Employment Assistance Services 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 help eligible organizations deliver employment-related programs and services that assist people with disabilities to integrate into the workplace.
As part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link program helps young Canadians, particularly those facing barriers to employment, obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed.
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 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.
Through its Career and Employment Services (CES) offices, the Government of Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration provides career and employment services to people in the province.
CES offices provide information on career and job opportunities and on training and education options that enable participation in the provincial labour market. Services are focused on matching the skills of Saskatchewan workers with the skill needs of employers. CES offices also assist employers to find the workers they need.
