Passport to Prosperity

Minister of State (FedNor), Andy Mitchell, joined 70 local area business leaders at Canadore College this morning for the Pathway to Prosperity Forum.

The forum is a province wide consultation activity that brings business leaders and all levels of government together for a face to face brainstorm session on how to build Canada’s 21st century workforce.

The group at Canadore discussed skills training, post secondary education and keeping area youth at home here in the North.

Mitchell, who was on hand to announce details on the new FedNor Youth Retention Strategy for North Ontario said the program, has proved its merit in the past.

“The Youth Internship Program will have about 3.8 million dollars of the 8 million dollars that I announced today.”

“It helps retain our youth here in Northern Ontario. It provides them with practical job experience to go along with their academic experience, and that has led to a great majority of them finding employment, and find it here in the North.”

Mitchell said based on the results his department could not see the model without this component.

“It’s been a very successful program, so we felt it was very important as we move forward with the Youth Retention Strategy that the youth internship program be part of that.”

Echoing his colleague Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota said the program is vital to the North’s future.

“One of the important things in this area is keeping the economy going and actually making it grow.”

“And Northern Ontario needs to retain its youth and train them. This internship program works with the communities, helping with their education and it all comes together, and it all comes together right here in Northern Ontario and that helps the economy.”

Barbara Taylor, President of Canadore said the investment truly means the college will work with community partners.