Government of Canada helps Brandon youth prepare for jobs

September 15, 2009

BRANDON, MANITOBA - Local youth that face barriers to employment will get job-preparation training and work experience through the Government of Canada's support for a local employment project. Mr. Merv Tweed, Member of Parliament for Brandon–Souris, 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 all Canadians develop the skills needed to participate and succeed in the job market," said Mr. Tweed. "By supporting this project, we are helping Brandon youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential."
Career and Employment Youth Services (CEYS) will receive $55,806 in federal Skills Link funding to help 165 youth who are facing employment barriers develop life and job skills to ease their transition to work or return to school.

"As our economy continues to shed jobs, the competition that the priority youth group faces becomes even more substantial," said Mr. Wayne Yonda of the Optimist Club of Brandon. "As a sponsor of CEYS, the Optimist Club is pleased to be able to assist a significant number of young people overcome some of these barriers. The opportunities that will be given to this group will benefit the individuals, their families and the community at large."

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.

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