Jay Aspin
News Release
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Jay Aspin, Member of Parliament for Nipissing–Timiskaming, announced, on behalf of the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, $87,400 in funding through the Skills Link Program to support the local YES Employment branch.
The funding will help YES Employment equip young Canadians in our region with the skills and work experience needed to get jobs or return to school.
“Delivering results and supporting skills training for youth has been a priority for me,” said MP. “I am pleased that since becoming MP our region, with today’s announcement, has received over $4.1 million in support for skills training and $3.6 million to support youth .”
Skills Link helps youth facing barriers to employment—including youth who are single parents, youth with disabilities, young newcomers and youth in rural and remote areas—to develop the skills and gain the experience needed to find a job or the confidence to return to school.
Since 2006, the Skills Link initiative has helped over 180,000 youth get jobs or return to school.
YES Employment will be using the funds to deliver Group-Based Employability Skills (GBES) and Work Experience (WE) to assist 10 youth with barriers find and maintain meaningful employment. The programs will focus on developing customer service skills necessary to find work and make a successful transition to the labour market.
“The Skills Link program enables young participants with little workplace experience to start on their chosen career path,” said Gisèle Cousineau, CEO of YES Employment. This funding provides opportunities to young clients that otherwise would not have been available to them.”
“Canada has weathered the recession well compared to other countries,” said MP Aspin. “However, the economy remains fragile and the job market particularly competitive, the barriers to youth are particularly acute. This funding will make a real, meaningful difference for these 10 youths who will gain the skills and confidence necessary to find and keep work and help our local economy grow.”
Economic Action Plan 2013 proposes new measures to equip Canadians with the skills and training they need to fill skills shortages and succeed in the Canadian labour market.
These include the Canada Job Grant, which will invest in skills training for unemployed and underemployed Canadians, better ensuring they are qualified to fill the high-quality, well-paying jobs that are available. Economic Action Plan 2013 is also creating opportunities for apprentices and providing support to under-represented groups such as Canadians with disabilities, Aboriginal people, newcomers and youth.
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