Government of Canada Helps Victoria Youth Prepare for Jobs

VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 18, 2009) - Local youth who face barriers to employment will get job-preparation training and work experience through the Government of Canada's support for a local employment project. The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

"In these tough economic times, it is important that Canadians develop the skills needed to participate in and contribute to the job market," said Minister of State Lunn. "By supporting skills training, our government is helping Victoria youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to be successful in the workforce."

WorkLink Employment Society will receive $752,941 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Pathway Project, which will help 104 youth facing employment barriers develop life and job skills to ease their transition to work.

"Local youth will benefit thanks to this support from the Government of Canada," said Ms. Jennifer De Luca, Executive Director of WorkLink Employment Society. "Participants of the Pathway Project will be given the opportunity to develop skills and gain experience that will enable them to excel in the workforce and in their community."

Skills Link focuses on helping youth facing barriers to employment, such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school.

The federal government is working with the provinces and territories, community organizations and other stakeholders to provide Canadians with the training, skills and opportunities they need to participate in the workforce and contribute to their communities.

Skills Link is part of the Government of Canada's strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The Government underscored its commitment to this strategy in Canada's Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development. To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

The Skills Link program is delivered by Service Canada, which provides one-stop personalized services for Government of Canada programs, services and benefits. For more information about this program, call 1-800-O-Canada, visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.

BACKGROUNDER

WorkLink Employment Society is a registered non-profit charity that is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Since 1978, the organization has been offering a range of employment and career-related programs and services that help clients gain life and employability skills that will enable them to effectively participate in the labour market. Between July 27, 2009, and July 22, 2011, the organization will help 104 youth facing employment barriers become employed through the Pathway Project by increasing their self-esteem and confidence. Each participant will be required to follow workshops that focus on life and employability skills, such as resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation and career planning. Participants will also take part in subsidized work placements.

As part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link program is one of three programs that help young Canadians, particularly those facing barriers to employment, obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed. The other two programs are Summer Work Experience and Career Focus.

Skills Link focuses on helping youth facing barriers to employment, such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school. It offers a client-centred approach based on assessing an individual's specific needs. The program supports youth in developing basic and advanced employment skills. Eligible participants between 15 and 30 years of age-who are not receiving Employment Insurance benefits-are assisted through a coordinated approach, offering longer-term supports and services that can help them find and keep a job.