Government of Canada provides opportunities for youth in Prince Edward Island

SUMMERSIDE, PE, Dec. 8, 2017 /CNW/ - Building a strong middle class means giving Canada's youth the tools they need to find and keep good jobs.

That's why Robert Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced a new project today that will give youth in Summerside job skills training and hands-on work experience.

In a project led by Réseau de développement économique et d'employabilité Île-du-Prince-Édouard Inc. (RDÉE Î.-P.-É.), up to 28 participants will enhance their employability by developing skills through workshops and on-the-job learning. They will also gain valuable work experience in fields such as education and graphic design.

The Government of Canada will provide more than $329,000 in funding for this project through the Career Focus program of the Government's Youth Employment Strategy. Career Focus supports projects that help post-secondary graduates transition to the labour market through paid internships, and helps to provide youth with the information and experience they need to make informed career decisions, find a job and/or pursue advanced studies.

Quotes

"We know that our communities are healthier and stronger when everyone can fully participate. Supporting youth as they transition into the workforce is a key way in which we can grow our economy and strengthen the middle class."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

"I am proud to highlight a project that provides youth with the opportunity to explore their professional interests while improving the skills that will help them land a job in their field of study. Projects like this enable young Canadians to turn their ambitions into reality."
– Robert Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont

"This program is aimed at young adults under 30 years of age who, ideally, can express themselves in French and who would be interested in returning to or staying on Prince Edward Island to build their career."
– Bonnie Gallant, executive director, RDÉE Î.-P.- É.

Quick Facts

• Career Focus is one of three program streams under the Government'sYouth Employment Strategy. Each year, the Government invests more than $330 million in the Strategy to help support young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 to get the information, skills, job experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition to the workplace.
• Total funding for the Youth Employment Strategy was increased by $278 million in 2016–17, representing the largest investment since its launch.
• Budget 2017 is investing an additional $395.5 million over three years for the Youth Employment Strategy, starting in 2017–18.
  
• Combined with Budget 2016 measures, these investments will help:
• more than 33,000 vulnerable youth develop the skills they need to find work or go back to school;
• create 15,000 new green jobs for young Canadians; and
• provide over 1,600 new employment opportunities for youth in the heritage sector.

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Associated Links

Youth Employment Strategy 
Career Focus Program

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada