CALGARY, April 10, 2018 /CNW/ - Building a strong middle class means giving Canada's youth the tools they need to find and keep good jobs.
That's why the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, highlighted a local project today that gave youth in Calgary job skills training and hands-on work experience.
Over the past 20 months, the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, through its Bridging Youth to Success project, served 30 post-secondary graduates, including Syrian refugees, by delivering career-related work experiences in their fields of study, such as the science, technology, engineering, and financial sectors.
The Government of Canada provided more than $458,000 in funding for this project through the Career Focus program of the Youth Employment Strategy. Career Focus supports projects that help post-secondary graduates transition to the labour market through paid internships, and helps to provide them with the information and experience they need to make informed career decisions, find a job and/or pursue advanced studies.
In addition, the Government of Canada has approved a subsequent agreement for $193,000 commencing April 2, to assist an additional 12 youth.
Quotes
"We know that our communities are healthier and stronger when everyone can fully participate. Supporting youth as they move into the workforce is a key way we can grow our economy and strengthen the middle class."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
"I am proud to highlight a project that provides youth with the opportunity to explore their professional interests while improving the skills that will help them land a job in their field of study. Projects like this enable young Canadians to turn their ambitions into reality."
– Kent Hehr, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre
"With funding support from ESDC, the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society's Bridging Youth to Success Program provided 28 young newcomer professionals with employment opportunities in their fields of expertise. This program exemplifies the successful outcomes that can be achieved when employers engage in the settlement and integration of newcomers, and when immigrant and refugee youth are given an opportunity to showcase and reach their full potential."
– Fariborz Birjandian, CEO, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society
Quick Facts
- Canada's future prosperity depends on young people getting the education and work experience they need to succeed. Each year, the Government invests over $330 million in the Youth Employment Strategy to help young people gain the skills and work experience they need to find and maintain good employment.
- Through Budget 2018, the Government provides an additional $448.5 million over five years, starting in 2018–19, to the Youth Employment Strategy. This funding will support the continued increase in the number of job placements funded through the Canada Summer Jobs program in 2019–20.
- Budget 2017 invested an additional $395.5 million over three years. Combined with Budget 2016 measures, these investments will help:
- more than 33,000 vulnerable youth develop the skills they need to find work or go back to school;
- create 15,000 new green jobs for young Canadians; and
- provide over 1,600 new employment opportunities for youth in the heritage sector.
Associated Links
Youth Employment Strategy
Career Focus Program
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
Media contacts: Emily Harris, Communications Advisor, Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, 819-654-5611; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
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