Government of Canada helps youth in southwestern Manitoba gain employment skills

July 15, 2009

SOURIS, MANITOBA — Young people in southwestern Manitoba will develop the skills they need to find and keep quality jobs through a project supported by the Government of Canada. 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 young people in Brandon-Souris develop the skills, knowledge and experience they need to reach their full potential.”

The Southwest Horizon School Division’s Mentorship Program will receive $77,898 through the Government of Canada’s Skills Link program, which will help nine youth prepare for and find meaningful employment or return to school. The project consists of a combination of work experience and 10 mandatory workshops on topics such as résumé writing, interview skills, mock interviews and feedback, and goal setting.

“The Southwest Horizon School Division is pleased to partner with the Government of Canada and the Brandon Regional Health Authority to help young people in southwestern Manitoba facing employment barriers prepare for and find meaningful work,” said Rick Pettinger, Chairman of the Southwest Horizon School Division Board. “This partnership has been a positive resource for the community, and many youth have benefited from it.”

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 1800-O-Canada, visit servicecanada.gc.ca or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.