Winnipeg, Manitoba, March 22, 2012—People who face barriers to employment will get work experience through government support for two employment initiatives, today announced the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and La Francophonie, who was joined by Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface.
“Our government’s top priority is job creation and economic growth. All Canadians should have the opportunity to get the skills they need to participate and succeed in today’s job market,” said Minister Valcourt. “By supporting these projects, our government is helping Canadians with disabilities and youth maximize their potential and independence.”
"I am very pleased to announce this investment in Saint Boniface for youth and people with disabilities," said Ms. Glover. "These projects will help them gain the skills and experience they need to find jobs now and succeed into their futures."
Premier Choix will receive over $54,000 under the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities program and close to $94,000 for its youth employment project under the Skills Link program.
“Premier Choix is the only employability program for Francophones in Manitoba, aged 15 to 30. This financing allows us to continue to offer the services and tools that young Francophones need to improve their employability and find a meaningful job,” said Nathalie Buors, Director of Programming at Premier Choix.
With the support of the federal Skills Link and the Opportunities Fund programs, Premier Choix will help 16 youth and 16 people with disabilities develop skills that will help them find jobs.
The youth will attend workshops that focus on topics such as communications, teamwork and job search skills. They will also gain work experience through job placements with local employers. The participants with disabilities will receive work skills assessments, job coaching and support services to help them find jobs.
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As part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link program helps young Canadians, particularly those facing barriers to employment, to obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed.
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 can help eligible organizations deliver employment-related programs and services that assist people with disabilities to integrate into the workplace.
These employment programs are also part of the Government of Canada’s broader 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. A key element of the Plan includes 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.
