Government of Canada helps youth in Selkirk develop employment and life skills

May 20, 2009

SELKIRK, MANITOBA, May 20, 2009—Selkirk youth will benefit from the Government of Canada’s support of a local employment project. Mr. James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk–Interlake, 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 our youth develop the skills needed to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Mr. Bezan. “We are pleased to provide young Canadians with an opportunity to gain the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”

KL Consulting will receive $163,631 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Options Employment Services for Youth project. This project will provide client assessment to 150 youth, case management to 50 youth and monitored work experience to 12 youth facing employment barriers, in order to help them prepare for and find meaningful employment or return to school.

The federal government is working with the provinces and territories, communities and other stakeholders to provide Canadians with the training, skills and opportunities they need to participate in the workforce and contribute to their communities.

“The Government of Manitoba wants to ensure that youth have the skills they need to participate in the labour market today and in the future,” said the Honourable Peter Bjornson, Minister of Education, Citizenship and Youth. “The continued success of the Options program depends on employers in the Interlake region that have provided important work and volunteer placements for youth. This shared commitment to support youth in their personal and employment development brings us together and has seen successful results for young people in the Selkirk area.”

“Since 2003, Options Employment Services for Youth has worked with at-risk youth aged 16 to 30 in the Selkirk and Interlake regions,” said Ms. Danielle Kirton of Options Employment Services for Youth. “Skills Link funding has enabled our program to provide comprehensive pre-employment and life skills development by way of workshops and employment sessions, a fully functional employment resource centre, and work experience placements.”

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.

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.