September 06, 2011

Calgary, September 6, 2011—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 program. Mr. Lee Richardson, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

 

“For many young Canadians, making the transition to the job market is a challenge, especially in today’s environment,” said Mr. Richardson. “That’s why our government is creating opportunities for youth to succeed through support for initiatives like the Bridging Youth to Success program.”

With assistance from the federal Skills Link program, the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society will help 85 youth who are new to Canada develop the skills and experience needed to find a job or the confidence to return to school.

The participants will attend employability skills workshops that focus on topics such as job search strategies, résumé writing and interview skills. Following the workshops, participants will benefit from work placements in the community where they will receive coaching from employers and gain hands-on experience.

Skills Link helps youth facing barriers to employment, such as recent immigrants, Aboriginal youth, youth with disabilities, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school.

The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society will receive over $399,000 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Bridging Youth to Success program.

The following are the remarks given by Lee Richardson at the launch of bridging youth for success.

 

“Thank you.

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

Let me start by commending those of you from the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society. You deserve to be recognized for your tireless work on behalf of all immigrants and refugees in Southern Alberta.

In particular, I would like to single out your excellent work with youth new to Canada. Like their parents, newcomer youth face many challenges when settling into Canada and your efforts have helped ensure they overcome these challenges and successfully integrate into Canadian society.

We are all aware of how difficult it can be for young people of all backgrounds to get jobs when they have no formal education and little work experience. That’s why your role is so important. With your help, newcomer youth 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 Calgary. In so doing, you have given—and continue to give—these youth 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 over $399,000 in the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society for its Bridging Youth to Success program. This funding is being provided through the Skills Link program.

This contribution will enable the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society to help 85 youth, who are new to Canada and 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, the participants will attend employability skills workshops that focus on topics such as job search strategies, résumé writing and interview skills. Then, participants will benefit from work placements in the community where they will receive coaching from employers and gain hands-on experience.

For many young Canadians, making the transition to the job market is a challenge, especially in today’s environment.

That’s why our Government is creating opportunities for youth to succeed through support for initiatives like the Bridging Youth to Success program.

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 training and development.

In the 2010 “Jobs and Growth Budget,” the Government of Canada committed an additional $60 million to the Skills Link and Career Focus programs.

 

This additional one-time investment enabled more young Canadians to gain the experience and skills they need to successfully participate in the labour market while the economy recovers.

Through programs such as Skills Link, the federal government is helping Canadians shape a stronger economy.

We want Canadians to be ready and trained for the jobs that will be in demand. 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.

 

Thank you.”

 

 

BACKGROUND

Calgary Catholic Immigration Society

 

The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) is a multicultural, non-profit volunteer organization located in Calgary, Alberta. CCIS offers settlement and integration services to refugees and recent immigrants to Canada in the southern region of Alberta. CCIS provides over 70 programs and services to clients in over 62 languages. It provides practical support to immigrants, such as language, job searches, and other basic cultural integration skills, as well as offering special services for refugees and survivors of torture. The agency operates with a team of 180 staff and more than 1,300 volunteers.

 

CCIS also has several programs that are available to the participants of this project to increase the likelihood of participant's success such as childcare and housing, which are typical barriers to employment for newcomers to Canada.

This organization has previously delivered six Skills Link agreements similar in nature which all produced successful results.

CCIS is a member organization of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary, and receives some funding from Catholic Charities, but the services offered at CCIS are non-denominational, and the agency serves immigrants and refugees of all faiths or none.

 

Skills Link

 

The Skills Link program helps youth facing barriers to employment to learn and develop the broad range of skills and work experience they need to participate in the job market. Through Skills Link, youth benefit from a client-centred approach and ongoing support, which helps them to complete work tasks successfully and, ultimately, find and keep a job. In turn, employers may receive financial assistance to cover the costs associated with providing employment services and individualized, integrated support to youth.

Skills Link was developed to assist youth in various circumstances, including single parents, Aboriginals, youth with disabilities, and recent immigrants. To qualify for Skills Link, participants must be between 15 and 30 years of age, in need of assistance to overcome barriers to employment, out of school, and legally entitled to work.

CURRENT STATUS

The project will begin on September 6, 2011, and is scheduled to continue until June 29, 2012.