Government of Canada helps youth with disabilities in Saskatoon succeed
SASKATOON, April 7, 2018 /CNW/ - Building a strong middle class means ensuring that Canada's youth have 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 disabled youth in Saskatoon job training and hands-on work experience.
Over the past 12 months, the Saskatchewan Abilities Council Inc. has helped eight recent graduates by providing a paid career-related work experience with their network of private-sector businesses. Youth were selected through an interview process to ensure that the participants selected would gain employment experience and skills related to their field of studies and career goals.
The Government of Canada provided more than $73,600 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.
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
"We are committed to creating an inclusive society so all Canadians can thrive and succeed. We're proud to partner with Saskabilities to help youth to get great experience to their careers started."
–The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
"Through the Career Focus project, highly skilled youth have benefited greatly by gaining career-related work experience. SaskAbilities thanks the Government of Canada for supporting this endeavour, which has made a substantial impact on the lives of Canadians. SaskAbilities has received wonderful feedback on this project from job seekers and employers alike, both of whom benefit from this opportunity."
– Emily Hurd, Program Manager, SaskAbilities (Saskatoon Branch)
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 of the number of job placements funded under 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
For further information: 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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