Kamloops, British Columbia—The Government of Canada announced funding to promote careers in the trades, technologies and service industries to youth in Kamloops. The announcement was made by Cathy McLeod, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Kamloops–Thompson–Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
“Our government’s top priorities are job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity,” said
Ms. McLeod. “The Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy is helping youth develop the skills and gain the experience they need to get jobs now and prepare for the workforce of tomorrow.”
A.R. Green Enterprises is receiving over $28,000 from the Youth Awareness program to organize the 2013 Cariboo Regional Skills Competition that will help youth learn about educational and career options in the skilled trades. Youth Awareness complements the Youth Employment Strategy (YES). It provides financial assistance for projects designed to promote youth as the workforce of the future.
With annual funding of more than $300 million, YES helps youth, particularly those facing barriers to employment, obtain career information, develop employment skills, find jobs and stay employed. YES includes the Skills Link and Career Focus programs and the Canada Summer Jobs initiative, which creates thousands of job opportunities for students every summer.
Economic Action Plan 2012 is providing an additional $50 million over two years to enhance YES so that more young people can gain tangible skills and experience. This funding will focus on connecting young Canadians with jobs in fields that are in high demand.
The additional funding will be delivered through two Calls for Proposals—one for Career Focus and one for Skills Link. The Calls opened on September 5 and will close on October 19. Organizations across Canada are invited to apply. Information is available at servicecanada.gc.ca.
The 2013 Cariboo Regional Skills Competition will provide an opportunity for high-school students to compete in over 30 trades and technology categories and be measured against industry standards. In addition to the competition, the young people in attendance will be able to watch demonstrations and participate in Try-A-Trade® activities. The event will take place at the Thompson Rivers University Campus in March 2013.
“We are grateful to receive funding from the Government of Canada,” said Alan Green, President of A.R. Green Enterprises. “This regional skills competition is a very important first step for those who will go on to the provincial competition in Abbotsford in April, and to the national competition in Vancouver next June. These competitions promote an understanding of the skills and experience needed in the trades.”
“We have a lot of talent in Kamloops, and skills competitions like the Cariboo Regional Skills Competition are an exceptional way to demonstrate that talent and encourage young people to explore rewarding careers in the trades and technology sector,” added Ms. McLeod.
The Government of Canada is helping youth prepare for, find and maintain meaningful employment through enhanced online services available at Youth.gc.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Marian Ngo
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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This news release is available online at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Youth Awareness complements the Youth Employment Strategy. It provides financial assistance for projects designed to promote youth as the workforce of the future and aims to expand their awareness of career and educational opportunities.
The Youth Employment Strategy is the Government of Canada’s commitment to help youth make a successful transition to the workplace.
Skills Link helps youth facing barriers to employment, including youth who are single parents, youth with disabilities and youth in rural and remote areas, to develop the skills and gain the experience needed to find a job or the confidence to return to school.
Career Focus provides funding to employers to hire young post-secondary graduates to give them career-related work experience and help them acquire skills to transition into the job market.
Canada Summer Jobs provides funding to not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to create summer job opportunities for young people aged 15 to 30 who are full-time students intending to return to their studies in the next school year.
To learn more about Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy and other youth employment initiatives, please visit Youth.gc.ca.
