Submitted. The Government of Canada is helping equip young Canadians in Abbotsford with the skills and work experience needed to get jobs through $350,000 in funding from the Skills Link Program. The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Member of Parliament for Abbotsford highlighted this important funding today, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development).
Agora Employment Essentials is receiving the support for a project to help 42 youth facing barriers to employment get the skills and knowledge they need to find jobs.
Project participants will develop the skills and tools necessary to make a successful transition to the job market or return to school. They will develop useful skills in the areas of problem solving and teamwork. They will also gain work experience with local employers in a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, automotive and hospitality. Participants may also learn skills related to their personal career plans, such as First Aid and CPR training.
In 2013, Agora Employment Essentials also received funding through the Skills Link program of more than $350,000 for a similar project, which ended in June 2014 after helping 40 participants.
The Government is investing in youth employment, skills and apprenticeship programs to help connect young Canadians with available jobs and fill labour shortages.
Quick Facts
· The Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES) has helped over 555,000 youth since 2006.
· The Government of Canada is helping Canadian youth get the skills employers are looking for with the Canada Job Grant and the Apprenticeship Incentive and Completion Grants. The Government also offers tax credits, such as the tuition, education and textbook tax credits, tradesperson’s tools deduction and the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit.
· Economic Action Plan 2014 is introducing the Canada Apprentice Loan, which provides apprentices registered in Red Seal trades with interest-free loans of up to $4,000 to complete their technical training. At least 26,000 apprentices are expected to apply annually.
Quotes
“Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Today’s announcement will help youth in Abbotsford get the skills needed to obtain jobs in today’s economy.”
– The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development)
“Since 2006, the Government has helped more than half a million young Canadians develop the skills they need to help them succeed in the job market. I am pleased to announce that young Canadians in Abbotsford will benefit from our initiatives to connect young people with jobs.”
– The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Member of Parliament for Abbotsford
“Agora Employment Essentials is grateful to the Government of Canada for their continued support of this work and we look forward to rewarding that trust by producing results. We are excited to assist youth to prepare for and to find work and we are excited for the opportunity to partner with employers in the community to create a win-win scenario for both parties. Youth in the Abbotsford and Mission areas get the opportunity to make their way in the labour market while local employers can address their staffing needs by finding and training the right employees through a cost effective and efficient way. ”
– John Dawson, General Manager, Agora Employment Essentials
Associated Links