Government of Canada invests to help youth in Pickering get jobs

PICKERING, ON, July 14, 2013

The Government of Canada is providing support for youth in Pickering to help them gain the skills, knowledge and experience they need to enter and succeed in the job market. The announcement was made by Corneliu Chisu, Member of Parliament for Pickering-Scarborough East, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity,” said Mr. Chisu. “The Government of Canada’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 Family Worship Centre is receiving more than $302,000 from the Skills Link program to help youth overcome barriers to employment.

Skills Link is part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES).

“We thank the Government of Canada for supporting this project and for its commitment to the growth and development of the youth in our community,” said Senior Pastor Bishop Joseph G. Fisher from The Family Worship Centre. “The Skills Link Program has proven to be successful in helping the youth of the Durham area to rediscover themselves, gain employment and become positive contributors to the community at large.”

In addition to existing funding, Economic Action Plan 2012 invested an extra $50 million to enhance YES with a new initiative that connects young Canadians with jobs in high demand and helps them develop tangible skills and gain work experience. Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes an additional investment of $70 million over three years to create 5 000 more paid internships.

Youth employment programs are part of the Government of Canada’s broader strategy to connect Canadians with available jobs. Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes new measures to equip Canadians with the skills and training they need. These include the Canada Job Grant, creating opportunities for apprentices and providing support to under-represented groups such as people with disabilities, Aboriginal people, newcomers and youth. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

The Government of Canada is helping youth plan their careers, learn new skills and find jobs through enhanced online services available

Backgrounder

The Youth Employment Strategy is the Government of Canada’s commitment to help youth make a successful transition to the workplace.

Skills Link helps youth facing barriers to employment, including youth who are single parents, youth with disabilities 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.

Career Focus provides funding to employers to hire young post-secondary graduates to give them career-related work experience and help them acquire skills to transition into 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.

To learn more about Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy and other youth employment initiatives.

SOURCE: Canada’s Economic Action Plan

For further information:

Jan O’Driscoll

Press Secretary

Office of Minister Finley

819-994-2482

Media Relations Office

Human Resources and Skills

Development Canada

819-994-5559