the briefing room

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today kicked-off nation-wide events to highlight that the Government of Canada is taking action to ensure that youth have the skills and training they need to be successful in the workforce.

“Our government’s top priority is creating jobs and economic growth,” said Minister Finley. “Youth are tomorrow’s workforce, so by investing in their skill development, we are helping them contribute to Canada’s long-term growth, competitiveness and overall prosperity.”

The Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy helps youth, particularly those facing barriers to employment, obtain career information, find jobs and stay employed. The Strategy includes the Skills Link and Career Focus programs and the Canada Summer Jobs initiative that creates thousands of job opportunities for students every summer. The Government’s investment in the Youth Employment Strategy in 2011 was over $300 million.

“For many young Canadians, it’s a challenge to make the transition to the job market” added Minister Finley. “That is why Canada’s Economic Action Plan has made significant investments to help youth develop skills and gain the experience they need to get jobs.”

Youth employment programs are part of the Government of Canada’s broader strategy to create an educated, skilled and flexible workforce. 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 Canadians through skills development… Read More