Government of Canada helps Nakusp youth prepare for jobs

March 02, 2010

Nakusp, British Columbia —Local youth who face barriers to employment will get job-preparation training and work experience through the Government of Canada’s support for an employment project.  The Honourable Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation and Member of Parliament for Kootenay–Columbia, 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 youth develop the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Mr. Abbott.  “By supporting this project, we are helping Nakusp youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”

Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services will receive $141,496 in federal Skills Link funding, which will help 12 youth facing employment barriers develop life and job skills to ease their transition to work or return to school.

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 get jobs 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, visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca, call 1 800 O‑Canada or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.