Cambridge Bay, Nunavut — Local women who face barriers to employment will get job-preparation training and work experience through the Government of Canada’s support for an employment project.  The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Nunavut, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“In today’s environment, it is more important than ever that youth develop the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Minister Aglukkaq.  “By supporting this project, we are helping young Aboriginal women in Cambridge Bay develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”

The Cambridge Bay Community Wellness Centre will receive $311,881 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Young Women’s Skills Link Program, which will help 10 young Aboriginal women facing employment barriers develop life and job skills to ease their transition to work or return to school.

Skills Link focuses on helping youth facing barriers to employment, such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school. 

"I would like to thank the Government of Canada for supporting our Young Women's Skills Links Program," said Marie Ingram, Executive Director of the Cambridge Bay Community Wellness Centre. "This Program gives our participants a purpose; it teaches them the skills they need and helps them establish a routine to regain control of their lives and make positive choices." 

The federal government is working with the provinces and territories, community organizations and other stakeholders to provide Canadians with the training, skills and opportunities they need to get jobs and contribute to their communities.

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 development.  To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

The Skills Link program is delivered by Service Canada, which provides one-stop personalized services for Government of Canada programs, services and benefits.  For more information about this program visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca, call 1 800 OCanada or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.


Backgrounder

The Cambridge Bay Community Wellness Centre’s mission is to help people achieve their full potential. The Centre delivers educational programs and counselling services that promote freedom from addiction and violence and encourages positive life style choices.

As part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link program is one of three programs that help young Canadians, particularly those facing barriers to employment, obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed.  The other two programs are Summer Work Experience and Career Focus.

Skills Link focuses on helping youth facing barriers to employment, such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school.  It offers a client-centred approach based on assessing an individual’s specific needs.  The program supports youth in developing basic and advanced employment skills.  Eligible participants between 15 and 30 years of age—who are not receiving Employment Insurance benefits—are assisted through a coordinated approach, offering longer-term supports and services that can help them find and keep a job.