November 06, 2009

Remarks from MP Richardson at event, which announced more than $1 million in Skills Link funding to BGS Enterprises:


Thank you. I am pleased to be here with you on behalf of the Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, who sends her best wishes.

Let me start by commending those of you from BGS Enterprises. For more than 20 years, you have been working with people across Western Canada to give them the tools they need to improve their lives.

Because of the type of work you do, you are aware how difficult it can ben for young people to get jobs when they have no formal education and little work experience. That’s why your role is so important. With your help, they are gaining the necessary training and expertise to move forward.

You are performing a tremendous public service by creating opportunities for young job seekers in our community. In doing so, you have given—and continue to give—these young people the chance to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.

I am proud to be part of a government that is working with you to make a difference.

That is why, today, on behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased to announce that we are investing more than $1 million in BGS Enterprises’ Youth Ventures project. This funding is being provided through the Skills Link program.

This contribution will enable BGS Enterprises in Calgary to help 2,350 youth facing employment barriers acquire life and job skills to ease their transition to work or return to school.

The aim of Skills Link is to help young people—ages 15 to 30—develop the abilities and knowledge that will help them succeed in life, whether through self-employment, full-time regular employment or further education.

What does this mean? Well, in this case, BGS Enterprises staff will be working one-on-one with the participants to help them identify their employment needs and objectives. Together, they will build on the participants’ career goals to help them reach their full potential.

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. By supporting this project we are helping Calgary youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.

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.

Through programs such as Skills Link, the federal government is helping Canadians weather the economic downturn. We want this country to come out of the recession stronger than before. We want Canadians to be ready and trained for the jobs that will be in demand. Programs such as Skills Link help our new Canadians find careers; they also provide the support to ensure that many success stories can be had, including some telling of coming from the street to productive employment.

We also recognize that every region and sector has different needs. That is why we are working closely with the provinces and territories so Canadians get the training and skills they need to find good jobs.

Cooperation is necessary to respond to current and future challenges. By working together, all Canadians benefit.

When Canadians have the chance to upgrade their skills, they are more likely to succeed. This will always be true, in good times and bad.

Once again, thank you to everyone for joining me today in helping Canadians build on the promise of opportunity.