Edmonton, AB – The Governments of Canada and Alberta are providing support for youth in Alberta to help them gain the skills, experience and knowledge they need to enter and succeed in the job market. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Laurie Hawn, PC,CD, MP for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Robin Campbell, Alberta’s Minister of Aboriginal Relations.
The Alberta Chamber of Resources is receiving over $175,000 for a project to help Aboriginal youth overcome barriers to employment. The Government of Canada is contributing over $95,000 through the Skills Link program, part of the Youth Employment Strategy (YES). The Government of Alberta will also invest $80,000 in the project through the Ministries of Aboriginal Relations and Human Services.
“I am happy to be taking part in this important announcement, as it is ground level funding such as this that can help young people develop skills and gain great experience to prepare for the workforce of tomorrow,” said MP Hawn.
With an annual budget of more than $300 million, YES helps youth, particularly those facing barriers to employment, obtain career information, develop employment skills, find jobs and stay employed. YES includes the Skills Link and Career Focus programs and the Canada Summer Jobs initiative, which creates thousands of job opportunities for students every summer.
Economic Action Plan 2012 is providing an additional $50 million over two years to enhance YES through a new initiative that will connect young Canadians with jobs that are in high demand and help them develop tangible skills and gain work experience.
“Our Government’s main priority will remain the economy, and it is critical to our long term prosperity that we help our youth gain the experience and opportunities they need to succeed,” concluded MP Hawn.
Youth employment programs are part of the Government of Canada’s broader strategy to create an educated, skilled and flexible workforce. 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 actionplan.gc.ca.
The Government of Canada is helping youth plan their careers, learn new skills and find jobs through enhanced online services available at youth.gc.ca.