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Youth get job-ready boost from Ottawa

Nina Grewal announced $415,000 for the Pathfinder Youth Centre Society
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New funding for youth employment has been announced.

Surrey youth will have better access to the skills they need for the job market, thanks to a huge investment from Ottawa.

Fleetwood-Port Kells MP Nina Grewal announced Thursday the Pathfinder Youth Centre Society was receiving $415,000 from the Government of Canada.

The society conducts workshops and training to assist local young people acquire the skills needed to succeed in their job searches.

“This significant investment by the Government of Canada will enable Surrey youth facing employment barriers acquire the skills necessary to ease their transition to work or to return to school,” said Grewal. “Today’s youth are tomorrow’s workforce and by investing in them we are solidifying Canada’s long-term growth and prosperity, which has always been our government’s top priority. That is why we created the youth employment strategy, because it enables youth to develop the skills they need today to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.”

“Canada’s youth face many challenges as they look to enter the labour market.  We need to therefore do everything we can to ensure that they have got the opportunity to learn the necessary skills and work ethic that comes with being an effective member of the workforce," she said.

Funding is provided under Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES), a $300 million annual program that helps youth facing barriers to employment obtain career information and develop employment skills so they can be competitive in Canada’s workforce. YES includes the Skills Link and Career Focus programs and the Canada Summer Jobs Initiative which create thousands of opportunities for students every summer.

The Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes an additional $50 million over two years to enhance YES so that more young people obtain tangible skills and experience. This funding will focus on connecting young Canadians with jobs that are in high demand. For further information on the Government of Canada Youth employment strategy, please go to Youth.gc.ca