Government of Canada helps Berwick youth prepare for jobs

BERWICK, NOVA SCOTIA, January 21, 2010—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. Mr. Greg Kerr, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for West 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 Mr. Kerr. “By supporting this project, we are helping Berwick youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”

The Acadia Centre for Social and Business Entrepreneurship will receive $89,904 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Youth Access – Berwick 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.

“Youth Access provides an opportunity for young people to discover their potential, take creative and innovative approaches to managing their work life, and secure work in their community,” said Ms. Amie Haughn, Director of Development at the Centre. “Ultimately, Youth Access aims to help participants secure their place and future in our communities and combat on-going economic and social sustainability concerns, such as outmigration and youth retention—issues that face most of our rural communities in Nova Scotia.”

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 get jobs 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.

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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

For further information (media only):

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

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

Backgrounder

The Acadia Centre for Social and Business Entrepreneurship helps individuals develop and enhance their entrepreneurial skills through educational programs, career counselling and community placements. The Centre encourages people to take initiative in order to reach their full potential and create a more engaged community. Between January 18, 2010, and May 7, 2010, the organization’s Youth Access – Berwick project will help 10 youth facing employment barriers develop employability skills through in-class workshops and work experience placements, in order to assist them in making the transition into the labour market or returning to school.

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.