December 18, 2014– Winnipeg, Manitoba – Manitoba Employment and Employment and Social Development Canada
The Governments of Canada and Manitoba are joining efforts to help youth in Winnipeg develop the skills and experience they need to find jobs. The announcement was made today by Lawrence Toet, Member of Parliament for Elmwood–Transcona, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development, and the Honourable Kevin Chief, Manitoba Minister of Jobs and the Economy.
The Momentum Centre is receiving more than $95,000 through the federal Skills Link program for its project to help youth overcome barriers to employment, and an additional $103,000 is being contributed by the Province of Manitoba.
Participants will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to make a successful transition to the job market or return to school. They will gain useful jobs skills such as time management and effective communication and work experience with local employers. Many participants will also obtain practical industry certification, such as Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) or lift truck operation.
This is part of the Government of Canada’s overall strategy to equip all Canadians with the skills and training they need to connect with available jobs.
“This project is a great step forward for youth in Winnipeg looking to gain the practical skills and experience today’s employers are looking for. Our Government’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.”
– The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and Minister Responsible for Manitoba
“This program is helping Manitobans get the training they need to enter the workforce and help contribute to a growing economy. These individuals are not only gaining new skills and getting jobs, they’re creating a positive future for their families.”
– Kevin Chief, Manitoba Minister of Jobs and the Economy
“Our Government’s top priorities are creating jobs and economic growth. To support Canada’s long-term prosperity, Canadian employers must tap into all available talent. The project announced today will help youth in Winnipeg get the skills and experience needed to obtain jobs in today’s economy.”
– Lawrence Toet, Member of Parliament for Elmwood–Transcona
“The Momentum Now! Program is a self-governance model where participants choose, direct and lead. What results from this is empowered and resilient participants who are now in control of their lives. The federal and provincial governments' investment in youth through programs like ours has long-term and far-reaching benefits for our youth, their families and the community.”
– Dawn Rodgers, Executive Director, Momentum Centre
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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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 $330 million, YES helps youth between the ages of 15 and 30 get the information and gain the skills, job experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition to the workplace. 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.
Skills Link helps youth facing barriers to employment—including single parents, youth with disabilities, young newcomers 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. Skills Link has helped over 190,000 youth since 2006.
Career Focus helps post-secondary graduates transition to the labour market through paid internships and helps to provide youth with the information and experience they need to make informed career decisions, find a job and/or pursue advanced studies. Since 2006, the Career Focus initiative has helped over 29,000 youth acquire skills needed to join 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 years who are full-time students intending to return to their studies in the next school year. Since it began in 2007, Canada Summer Jobs has helped over 390,000 students.
Through Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government of Canada is investing $40 million towards supporting up to 3,000 internships in high-demand fields and $15 million annually towards supporting up to 1,000 internships in small and medium-sized enterprises under the Youth Employment Strategy.
Other measures to connect Canadians with available jobs and equip them with the skills and training they need include introducing the Canada Job Grant, creating opportunities for apprentices and providing support to under-represented groups, including people with disabilities, Aboriginal people, newcomers and youth.
