Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

Vancouver, British Columbia, August 9, 2011—Local youth who face barriers to obtaining employment will receive job preparation training and work experience through the Government of Canada’s support of three youth employment projects. The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors and Member of Parliament for Richmond, made the announcement today on behalf of Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“Our government is working with community organizations across Canada to help young people reach their full potential,” said Minister Wong. “We want youth to be ready and trained for the jobs that will be in demand. When given the tools and opportunity to succeed, there really is no holding them back.”

With assistance from the federal Skills Link program, three non-profit organizations in the Lower Mainland will help 120 youth develop the skills and experience needed to find a job or the confidence to return to school.

The youth participants will attend life and employability skills workshops that focus on topics such as résumé writing, problem solving and teamwork. Based on their needs and interests, the participants will then be matched with employers who will provide them with hands-on experience through work placements.

The Government of Canada is investing over $1.2 million in Skills Link funding for the following three youth employment projects:

Gordon House Youth S.E.A.R.Ch. will receive over $495,000 for its Youth Search Employment Program, which will help 48 youth.

The DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society will receive over $375,000 for its Future Leaders program, which will help 33 youth.

The Mission Community Skills Centre Society will receive over $368,000 in Skills Link funding for its Express to Success program, which will help 39 youth.

“By supporting projects like these that find local solutions to local challenges, we are building on our national strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world,” said Minister Wong.

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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

For further information (media only):

Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

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

Backgrounder

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 helps youth between 15 and 30 years of age who are not receiving Employment Insurance benefits develop basic and advanced employment skills. It assists participants through a coordinated, client-centred approach that offers longer-term supports and services tailored to their specific needs to help them find and keep a job.

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

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