The Pas, Manitoba, November 18, 2011—Local youth who face barriers to employment will get job preparation training and work experience through federal-provincial support for an employment project. The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety and Minister responsible for Manitoba, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and the Honourable Peter Bjornson, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade for Manitoba, made the announcement today.
“For many young Canadians, making the transition to the job market is a challenge, especially in today’s environment,” said Minister Toews. “That’s why our government is creating opportunities for youth to succeed through support for initiatives like the Job Skills North - Job Readiness Program.”
“We are helping unemployed individuals including youth across the province build successful careers and keep Manitoba’s economy moving forward,” said Minister Bjornson. “The winning combination of skills training and on-the-job experience will empower participants to join and contribute to our growing workforce.”
With assistance from the Governments of Canada and Manitoba, M.O. Harvey Associates Ltd. will help 60 unemployed Manitobans including 22 targeted youth, develop the skills and experience needed to find a job or the confidence to return to school.
The project participants will attend life and employability skills workshops that focus on topics such as resumé writing, communication and leadership. The participants will then gain hands-on experience from a work placement that complements their interests and abilities.
M.O. Harvey Associates Ltd. will receive over $80,000 in federal Skills Link funding and over $299,000 from the province of Manitoba for this 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 Development Canada
819-994-5559
Jodee Mason
Province of Manitoba
Cabinet Communications
204-945-1494
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.
The Job Skills North - Job Readiness Program has a proven track record in addressing employment barriers by assisting unemployed individuals to establish attainable goals and to transition to meaningful employment through the development of life skills and pre-employment skills training and therefore help realize Manitoba’s workforce potential. For more information about this Program and other employment assistance services in Manitoba, call 1 866 332 5077or visit www.manitoba.ca/employment.
