BEAUSEJOUR, MANITOBA --(March 17, 2009) - At-risk youth in Beausejour will benefit from the Government of Canada's commitment to a local employment project. Mr. James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

"It is more important than ever that youth develop the skills needed to participate and succeed in today's job market," said Mr. Bezan. "We are pleased to be partnering with the Province to help young Canadians facing employment barriers gain the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential."

Network 4 Change will receive $88,751 in federal funding through the Government of Canada's Skills Link program. Under the organization's Road to Success project, 30 at-risk youth in rural Beausejour will be given the opportunity to gain employment skills through skills training.

Skills Link is part of the Government of Canada's strategy to create the best-educated, most-skilled and most flexible work force in the world. The Government underscored this commitment in January when it introduced Canada's Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development.

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, go on the Internet at servicecanada.gc.ca or visit your local Service Canada Centre.

BACKGROUNDER

Between February 23, 2009, and February 19, 2010, Network 4 Change will help 30 youth facing employment barriers gain employment skills through its Road to Success project. The goal of the project is to help participants develop a broad range of skills and knowledge that will allow them to successfully transition into employment, or pursue further education. Participants selected will be rural youth who are out of school and are facing multiple employment barriers.

The mission of Network 4 Change is to bring stability, strength, hope and wellness to community members through a comprehensive approach to care, advocacy and service, and to create stronger communities by developing stronger community members.

As part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link program is one of three Government of Canada programs that help young Canadians facing barriers to employment obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed.

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.


This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

For more information, please contact

Office of Minister Finley
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
819-994-2482

or

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Media Relations Office
819-994-5559