Ottawa, Ontario — The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), today recognized the success of the Pathways to Education program during a visit to their Ottawa location. Pathways to Education provides tutoring, mentoring and other services to help disadvantaged students tackle challenges inside and outside the classroom. Over 4 700 students currently receive help from Pathways to Education, while more than 1 000 have graduated from the program.
“Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity, and our investments in education and learning are vital to achieving these goals,” said Minister of State Bergen. “When something works and works well, you support it. That is why I am proud to highlight our partnership with Pathways to Education so more young Canadians can get the education and skills they need to find good jobs.”
The Government of Canada’s continued support for Pathways to Education is helping youth living in low‑income communities with high unemployment stay in school and get the education they need to succeed now and in the future.
Pathways, which originated in Toronto, now operates in 12 communities across Canada, with sites in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Manitoba. In these communities, high school completion rates and post-secondary education participation have dramatically increased since the introduction of the program. In certain communities, the high school drop-out rate has decreased by as much as 70 percent, and the rate at which program participants go on to college or university is up by 300 percent.
“The young people we work with are the best ambassadors for Pathways that we could ever ask for,” says David Hughes, CEO of Pathways to Education Canada. “They were very eager to meet Minister Bergen and show her how government investments in Pathways to Education are making real and lasting differences in their lives and in their communities.”
Youth programs are part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to connect Canadians with available jobs. Economic Action Plan 2013 includes several new initiatives to help youth develop the skills and gain the experience they need to get jobs. For example, the Government is providing young people with more and better information about careers in high-demand fields and is also creating 5000 more paid internships through the federal Youth Employment Strategy.
The Government of Canada is also helping youth plan their careers, learn new skills and find jobs through enhanced online services available at youth.gc.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Johanna Quinney
Office of the Minister of State
(Social Development)
613-697-4449
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.
This news release is available online at: actionplan.gc.ca.
Pathways to Education Canada
Pathways to Education Canada is a not-for-profit organization focused on helping students in low-income communities by providing tutoring, mentoring and other services in partnership with community organizations, the private sector and other levels of government. Over the past three years, with support from both Economic Action Plan 2010 and 2013, Pathways has grown from serving approximately 2 500 students at eight sites in two provinces to over 4 700 students at 12 sites in four provinces.
Economic Action Plan
Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes new measures to connect Canadians with available jobs and equip them with the skills and training they need. These include the Canada Job Grant, which will invest in skills training for unemployed and underemployed Canadians, better ensuring they are qualified to fill the high-quality, well-paying jobs that are available. Economic Action Plan 2013 is also creating opportunities for apprentices and providing support to under-represented groups such as Canadians with disabilities, Aboriginal people, newcomers and youth.
Additionally, post-secondary education is vital to Canada's economic growth and future prosperity, and is the best route to a well-paying, high-quality job. That is why the Government of Canada continues to invest in post-secondary education, including apprenticeships, to make sure it is accessible for all Canadians through loans, grants, tax credits and support for training programs.
The Youth Employment Strategy (YES) is the Government of Canada’s commitment to help youth make a successful transition to the workplace.With annual funding of approximately $300 million, YES helps youth—particularly those facing barriers to employment—obtain career information, develop employment skills, find jobs and stay employed.
In addition to existing funding, Economic Action Plan 2012 invested an extra $50 million to enhance YES with a new initiative that connects young Canadians with jobs in high demand and helps them develop tangible skills and gain work experience. Economic Action Plan 2013 is investing $70 million over three years to create 5 000 more paid internships.
