The Government of Canada helps youth in Edmonton prepare for the labour market

(Edmonton,  July 23,  2010 Ceegaag Online)

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. Peter Goldring, Member of Parliament for Edmonton East, 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. Goldring. "By supporting this project, we are helping Edmonton youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential."

The Somali Canadian Education and Rural Development Organization will receive over $48,000 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Canadian Youth Outreach project, which will help 200 youth facing barriers to employment 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.

"We would like to thank the Government of Canada for extending our Youth Outreach funding, which will allow our organization to assist more local youth in our community," said Mr. Bashir Ahmed, Executive Director, Somali Canadian Education and Rural Development Organization. "Project participants will receive outreach services that will engage them, encourage them to consider their futures and employment goals, and ultimately connect them to assessment services, pre-employment training, schooling or employment."

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.

Through the 2010 "Jobs and Growth Budget," the Government of Canada committed an additional $60 million to the Skills Link and Career Focus programs. This additional one-time investment will enable more young Canadians to gain the experience and skills they need to successfully participate in the labour market while the economy recovers.

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.

- 30 -

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 Somali Canadian Education and Rural Development Organization (SCERDO) is a non-profit, charitable organization offering skills development programs and other educational services through community-based projects. Through its Canadian Youth Outreach project, SCERDO will reach out to 200 Edmonton youth facing barriers to employment and connect them to the local community services most suitable to their needs. Youth will also be able to access a variety of employment supports directly through SCERDO outreach workers, such as one-on-one counselling and job preparation coaching, as well as group discussions and information sessions focusing on topics such as problem solving, teamwork, résumé writing and job preparation skills.

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.

webmaster@ceegaag.com