Cambridge, Ontario, October 24, 2011—Local youth who face barriers to employment will get job preparation training through the Government of Canada’s support for an employment project. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario) and Member of Parliament for Cambridge-North Dumfries, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
“For many young Canadians, making the transition to the job market is a challenge, especially in today’s environment,” said Minister Goodyear. “That’s why our government is creating opportunities for youth to succeed through support for initiatives like the Youth Vision Cultural Artwork project.”
With assistance from the federal Skills Link program, d3 Artworks Inc. will help 18 youth develop the skills and experience needed to find a job or the confidence to return to school.
The project participants will attend group employability workshops that focus on topics such as job search strategies, teamwork and conflict resolution. Following the workshops, the participants will work as a team to create a permanent art display for a local community organization.
Skills Link helps youth facing barriers to employment, such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, youth with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school.
d3 Artworks Inc. will receive over $264,000 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Youth Vision Cultural Artwork project.
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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
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and
Skills DevelopmentCanada
819-994-5559
As part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link 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 Career Focus.
Skills Link helps youth between 15 and 30 years of age who are not receiving Employment Insurance benefits develop basic and advanced employment skills. It assists participants through a coordinated, client-centred approach that offers longer-term supports and services tailored to their specific needs to help them find and keep a job.
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 Skills Link 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 servicecanada.gc.ca, call 1 800 O‑Canada or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.
