Harper Government invests in Personalized Job Readiness Support for Youth from Pessamit

OTTAWA, Jan. 21, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, announced that 50 youth from Pessamit in Quebec will receive personalized job readiness supports.

Across the country, First Nation youth from 70 communities are currently participating and succeeding in job readiness activities. These measures are designed to ensure that participating youth are equipped with the tools and opportunities they need to increase their employability so they can successfully reach their goals and reduce reliance on Income Assistance.  

This past summer, Minister Valcourt and Parliamentary Secretary Mark Strahl held roundtables across the country to hear from First Nation youth already participating in job readiness activities and to learn how they are benefiting from the program. By investing in First Nation youth, our Government is taking concrete steps to help build more prosperous, self-sufficient First Nation communities.

Quick Facts

• In Quebec there are now 10 First Nations who are taking advantage of this program: Nation Anishnabe de Lac Simon, Innus de Ekuanitshit, Montagnais de Unamen Shipu, Montagnais de Pakua Shipi, Innus de Pessamit, Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government, Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-Utenam, Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, Atikamekw de Manawan and the Conseil des Montagnais du Lac-St-Jean–Mashteuiatsh.  
• First Nation youth on-reserve, who are between the ages of 18 and 24, are receiving personalized job and skills training as part of changes to the Income Assistance program. Economic Action Plan 2013 included $132 million to support Enhanced Service Delivery and $109 million for the First Nations Job Fund.
• Participants have access to a range of services and programs aimed at increasing their job prospects and supporting them as they move into the workforce, including: basic life-skills and literacy training, skills training and career counseling.
• This year, 4,606 First Nation youth are taking advantage of Enhanced Service Delivery, which provides a case-management approach to indentifying barriers they may face in obtaining a job and establishes a plan to overcome them.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada firmly believes that First Nations should have the same opportunities as all Canadians to find, keep and enjoy the benefits of a good job; that's why this program is so important. It provides personalized jobs readiness support for youth from Pessamit, and across the country, so they can successfully take advantage of the economic prosperity of this country."

Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"Our Government continues to take concrete steps to create the conditions for prosperous, self-sufficient First Nation communities. Investing in personalized job readiness support will lead to greater First Nation participation in the economy, healthier First Nation communities and a stronger Canada."

Denis Lebel
Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

"The Pessamit Innu Council is pleased to hear that the Enhanced Service Delivery Initiative will be part of its administration. This initiative will provide our community's young people with job-skills training that meets their needs. It will show participants what the requirements of a management plan are and what qualities are needed for a brighter future in the field of their choice."

René Simon
Pessamit Chief

Related Products

New First Nations Entrants participating in Skills and Job Training Activities in Quebec and Saskatchewan 
Backgrounder – Improving Income Assistance 
Success Stories of First Nations Youth participating in Skills and Job Training activities 
Backgrounder – Enhanced Service Delivery
Video - Connecting Youth with Jobs: Reforming Income Assistance
January 31, 2014 – Harper Government Connects First Nation Youth with Personalized Skills and Training

Associated Links

Skills and Job Training: Income Assistance Program 
Skills and Job Training for First Nation Youth: Roundtables 
First Nations Job Fund
June 12, 2013 – Harper Government Invests in Skills & Training for First Nation Youth

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SOURCE Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Emily Hillstrom, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, 819-953-1160