For Immediate Release - August 7, 2019
Canada’s continued prosperity depends on young Canadians launching meaningful careers. By helping them gain the skills and experience they need for a fair chance at success, we are investing in our greatest asset—our people.
Today, Lloyd Longfield,
Member of Parliament for Guelph, announced funding to Second Chance Employment Counselling for their project Ways2Work on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment Workforce Development and Labour
Minister Hajdu recently announced the launch of the Youth and Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS). This new strategy builds on the successes of the Youth Employment Strategy, and will provide more flexible employment services and enhanced supports for all young Canadians. It will help youth develop the skills and gain the experience they need to successfully transition into the labour market and ensure that no one is left behind.
“Second Chance Employment has been a cornerstone organization in Guelph, providing pathways to employment for young people, thanks to incredible staff that know how to draw the best out of their clients, and use their relationships with local employers to create winning partnerships.” - Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph
The funding today of $455,182.00 will ensure the continuation of group based employability skills and work experience to assist 154 youth facing barriers, including visible minorities, indigenous youth, those with disabilities and youth facing barriers to obtain and keep employment. The funding will allow for this project to continue until the fall of 2020.
“The federally funded ways2work programme provides a level of support that many youth in our community need to reach their goals of getting a job, keeping a job and contributing to the growth of our community. The community services and local businesses have been great partners in this programme as we all recognize how much energy and passion youth bring to every table. Without this funding, so much potential and growth would be missed.”
- Chris Baginski-Hansen, Executive Director, Second Chance Employment Counselling
(Wellington) Inc.
Participants will attend 5 days a week for 6 weeks of Group based employability skills activities. During this time the participants will receive an allowance based on the provincial minimum wage. The participants will attend sessions on employability skills including change and time management, effective communications, goal setting, problem solving, team building, workplace safety and security, creating resumes and cover letters, interview basics, and employment standards.
The participants will develop job search portfolios that will act as their framework towards the career path that they will pursue. Participants will acquire industry standard training and certification in First Aid with Level A CPR, Safe Food Handling, Smart Serve and Fall Arrest Certification.
The participants will also be given opportunities to network with employers as well as tour local businesses. They will also work with Job Developers who will develop a goal for an employment placement. As this is a group with multiple employment barriers, the goal will focus on finding a placement that builds upon their interest and skills, but also give them an opportunity to work through their barriers on the job with the support of the Job Developer.
“The strategy builds on the success of the Youth Employment Strategy to support the next generation of the middle class. Young Canadians are talented, ambitious and hard-working, but getting a strong start in the workforce can be challenging for many. The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy will make it easier for young people to transition from the classroom to the workforce, including those facing barriers. It is part of our plan to ensure that everyone has a fair chance at success.” - The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
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Quick Facts
• The YESS has been modernized to respond to recommendations made by the Expert Panel on Youth Employment to deliver a wider range of programs to help youth overcome barriers to employment and gain the skills, abilities and work experience needed to get a strong start in their careers. The modernized strategy will aim to offer more flexible services, broadened eligibility, and enhanced supports for youth facing barriers to employment tailored to address each individual’s challenges.
• Under the YESS, ESDC will launched a Call for Proposals for funding for 2020-2021 from organizations that help young people overcome barriers to employment. Projects can be either national or regional in scope and may start as early as April 1, 2020.
• The previous streams of YES, Skills Link, Career Focus and Summer Work Experience have been integrated together to create a more holistic approach to funding and service delivery. The Canada Summer Jobs program has expanded eligibility to all youth aged 15-30—no longer restricting the program to just students.
• To help youth people gain the skills and work they need to find and maintain good employment, Budget 2019 proposes to build on previous investments to invest an additional $49.5 million over five years to launch a modernized Youth Employment Strategy. Through Budget 2018, the government is providing an additional $448.5 million over five years starting in 2018–19, to modernize the strategy, as well as to continue providing more Canada Summer Jobs in summer 2019.
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