Prince George, British Columbia (July 23, 2009) - Youth in Northern British Columbia that face multiple barriers to employment will gain work experience through the Government of Canada's support for a local employment project. Mr. Richard Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George, 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 all Canadians develop the skills needed to participate and succeed in the job market," said Mr. Harris. "By supporting this project, we are helping youth in Northern British Columbia develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential."
Kopar Administration Ltd. will receive $399,901 in federal Skills Link funding to help 148 youth make the transition into the Northern British Columbia labour market. 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.
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BACKGROUNDER
Kopar Administration Ltd. is committed to assisting youth with multiple barriers to employment in gaining work experience to help them transition into the Northern British Columbia labour market. The organization provides quality employment services to help individuals succeed in achieving increased independence and attachment to the labour force. Through this project, Kopar Administration Ltd. is encouraging employers to hire a minimum of 124 youth through the use of wage subsidy agreements, and a minimum of 24 youth without wage subsidies. Youth are required to have previously participated in an employment counselling process and have completed a relevant Return to Work Action Plan to be eligible for these work placements. Those without a Return to Work Action Plan will be referred to an Employment Assistance Services provider.
As part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link program is one of three programs that help young Canadians obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed. The two other 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.
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
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Media Relations Office
819-994-5559
