Government of Canada invests in the future careers of local youth
EDMONTON, Aug. 12, 2016 /CNW/ - Youth living in Edmonton are preparing to enter the labour market by participating in a new skills improvement project that will help them overcome barriers to employment. The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Mill Woods, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.
Under the project, Executive Spa Group will provide up to 10 youth with six weeks of training activities that will include résumé preparation, workplace safety and security and networking with potential employers. Project participants will also gain valuable hands-on work experience for 12 weeks in a field that matches their goals, interests and abilities. Jobs could include entry-level positions such as spa guest service representatives, sales associates, massage therapists, aestheticians, hairstylists or makeup artists.
The Government of Canada will provide up to $80,250 in funding for this project through the Skills Link program, which supports projects that provide hands-on experience, job search assistance and resources for youth facing barriers to employment. This includes youth who are single parents, have disabilities, are newcomers or live in rural and remote areas.
Quotes
"Our government has pledged to make significant new investments to create jobs and opportunities for young Canadians so they can get a strong start in the workforce. Providing opportunities for youth to build their skills and abilities will help ensure the success of the next generation of entrepreneurs, business leaders, innovators and tradespeople."
– The Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
"I'm pleased to see this local initiative helping our young people get a hand-up in beginning a new and creative career in Edmonton. Giving young people hands-on training and real work experience will improve the lives and careers of our future workforce."
– The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Mill Woods
Quick Facts
- Skills Link is part of the Government's Youth Employment Strategy (YES). The Government is investing more than $330 million in the YES to help young people gain the skills, abilities and work experience they need to find and maintain good employment.
- To expand employment opportunities for young Canadians, Budget 2016 will invest an additional $165.4 million in 2016–17.
- Since 2005, over 772,000 young Canadians have received the skills upgrading they need to enter the labour market through the Government of Canada's youth employment programs. These programs help youth between the ages of 15 and 30 get the information and gain the skills and work experience they need to succeed in the workplace.
Associated Links
Youth Employment Strategy
Skills Link program
Backgrounder
The Youth Employment Strategy (YES) is an initiative led by Employment and Social Development Canada and delivered in collaboration with 10 other federal departments and agencies. Since 2005, YES has helped over 772,000 young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 get the information and gain the skills and work experience they need to succeed in the workplace.
Each year, the Government invests more than $330 million through its Youth Employment Strategy to help young Canadians gain the skills and work experience they need to start their careers and contribute to the economy.
Earlier this year, the Government announced $339 million in additional funding for the Canada Summer Jobs program, to be delivered over three years, starting in 2016–17.
More recently, Budget 2016 proposed to invest an additional $165.4 million in the Youth Employment Strategy in 2016–17 to:
- create new green jobs for youth;
- increase the number of youth who access the Skills Link program, which helps young Canadians overcome barriers to employment; and
- support employment opportunities in the heritage sector under the Young Canada Works program.
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 230,000 youth since 2005.
Career Focus helps post-secondary graduates transition to the labour market through paid internships and helps provide youth with the information and experience they need to make informed career decisions, find a job and/or pursue advanced studies. The Career Focus initiative has helped over 37,000 youth acquire skills needed to join the job market since 2005.
Summer Work Experience provides wage subsidies to employers to create summer employment for secondary and post-secondary students. The Summer Work Experience program includes Canada Summer Jobs. The Canada Summer Jobs program 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 who are full-time students intending to return to their studies in the next school year. Since 2005, Summer Work Experience has helped over 505,000 students.
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Hon. Amarjeet Sohi, P.C., M.P., Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-219-0149, [email protected]; John O'Leary, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, 819-654-5611, [email protected]; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
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