Canada’s New Government Helps Young New Brunswickers Find Work

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK–(Aug. 3, 2007) – Mike Allen, Member of Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced over $300,000 in Skills Link funding for three projects that will help youth in Moncton make a successful transition into the workforce.

“Canada’s New Government is proud to work with local community organizations to help create opportunities for young Canadians,” said Mr. Allen. “These projects will help young people in Greater Moncton who face barriers to employment get the skills, knowledge and experience they need to find and keep quality jobs.”Skills Link funding of $382,425 is being provided to support projects that will help youth in the Moncton area who face barriers to employment develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to find and keep jobs.

As part of the funding, Moncton Youth Residences Inc. will receive $118,786 for a 22-week project that will provide participants with life and employability skills that are essential to getting a job. These skills include teamwork, communications, leadership, problem solving and decision making, as well as skills involved in personal development (such as those that help build self-esteem and self-confidence). The John Howard Society will receive $118,440 for a 24-week initiative under which participants will apply the life and employability skills they learn in class to the construction of a multi-use recreational trail in the Irishtown Nature Park. Finally, Moncton Employment and Training Services will receive $145,199 for a project aimed at helping eight youth who face barriers to employment and need long-term skills development. The project will provide participants with the opportunity to experience personal growth and develop skills while completing short-term work assignments.

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BACKGROUNDER

(Skills Link)

The Skills Link program is one of three Government of Canada programs that help young Canadians (aged 15 to 30 years) 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 young people who face barriers to employment. These young people include high school dropouts, single parents, Aboriginal youth, persons with disabilities, youth in rural areas and recent immigrants. Summer Work Experience helps secondary and post-secondary students find summer jobs. Career Focus helps post-secondary graduates develop advanced skills and find careers in their fields. All three programs provide a range of activities that can be tailored to meet individual needs.

Projects funded under the Skills Link program have been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department’s administration of its Grants and Contributions programs, and are subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.

For more information, please contact

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Raelene Graham-Theriault
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Youth Info Line: 1-800-935-5555
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