Feds launch initiative to help 3,000 youth find jobs

Employers have until Oct. 19 to apply for funding

The federal government has unveiled a new approach to help 3,000 young Canadians find jobs in high-demand sectors of the economy.

The initiative will help address labour shortages by equipping youth with skills and experience, and creating opportunities for them to start careers in high-demand fields, according to Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Diane Finley.

“To help ensure Canada’s continued economic growth and long-term prosperity, we must take action now to address existing skills shortages and better equip our young people as they make career decisions,” said Finley.

This new initiative will give youth “better opportunities to develop the skills that are required for today’s labour market and into the future,” she said.

Under the existing national Youth Employment Strategy, this new $50-million initiative will be dedicated to projects that will connect about 3,000 young Canadians with private sector jobs in fields that are in high demand, such as the skilled trades and tourism. The projects will help employers fill labour shortages while providing youth with the on-the-job experience they need to transition into a career.

Projects will be selected through two calls for proposals — one for Career Focus and one for Skills Link, both of which are existing programs under the Youth Employment Strategy.

“Youth employment programs are part of the Harper government’s broader strategy to create an educated, skilled and flexible workforce,” said Finley. “Today’s youth are tomorrow’s workforce, so by investing in them we are helping contribute to Canada’s long-term growth, competitiveness and overall prosperity.”

The calls will open on Sept. 5 and close on Oct. 19. Organizations across Canada are invited to apply.

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