Government of Canada Helps London Area Youth Prepare for Jobs

LONDON, ONTARIO--- London area youth will benefit from the Government of Canada's support for a local employment project. Mr. Ed Holder, Member of Parliament for London West, 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 young Canadians have the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market," said Mr. Holder. "We are proud to help London's youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential."

Youth Opportunities Unlimited will receive $480,125 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Enterprise Services project, which promotes the development of employability skills. This project will help 62 youth facing employment barriers prepare for and find meaningful work or return to school in the London and Middlesex areas.

"This project will have a direct and positive impact on our youth," said Mr. Steve Cordes, Executive Director of Youth Opportunities Unlimited. "Federal funding is so much more than dollars. It represents an opportunity for these youth to receive training and skills development so they can more fully contribute to their community. The funding truly is a hand up."

The federal government works with the provinces and territories, community organizations and other stakeholders to provide Canadians with the training, skills and opportunities they need to participate in the workforce 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 which is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development.

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

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.


BACKGROUNDER

Established in 1982, Youth Opportunities Unlimited of London is dedicated to unlocking the potential of youth and providing transition, career development and enterprise services to local youth. Between April 1, 2009, and March 30, 2010, the organization's Enterprise Services project will provide skills workshops and work experience to 62 youth in the London and Middlesex areas, in order to help them overcome barriers to employment and prepare for jobs or a return to school.

As part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link program is one of three Government of Canada programs that help young Canadians who are facing barriers to employment obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed.

Skills Link focuses on helping youth who are 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.