Government of Canada Helps Glace Bay Youth Prepare for Jobs

GLACE BAY, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Dec. 20, 2009) - Local youth who face barriers to employment will get job-preparation training and work experience through the Government of Canada's support for an employment project. The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, Minister for the Atlantic Gateway and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

"In today's environment, it is more important than ever that youth develop the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market," said Minister MacKay. "By supporting this project, we are helping Glace Bay youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential."

The YMCA of Cape Breton will receive $175,041 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Youth Leadership - Glace Bay project, which will help 10 youth facing employment barriers develop life and job skills to ease their transition to work or return to school.

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 YMCA of Cape Breton has a long history of partnerships with the Government of Canada in supporting youth employment initiatives," said Mr. Andre Gallant, Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA. "We are particularly pleased with Minister MacKay's announcement today, given current economic conditions. We work with youth that have the desire to succeed, but need just a bit more help. The funding announced today will provide that help."

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 visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca, call 1 800 O-Canada or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.


BACKGROUNDER

Founded in 1886, the YMCA of Cape Breton is a volunteer-driven, charitable organization serving all areas of Cape Breton Island. It is dedicated to the growth of individuals and encourages a sense of responsibility to each other and to the community. Between January 4, 2010, and July 30, 2010, the organization will provide 10 unemployed youth facing employment barriers with employability skills and work experience, enabling them to become more competitive in the local job market and assisting them in making informed career decisions.

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.