The federal government is providing funding to give 144 Newmarket-Aurora youth a chance to build employment skills.
More than $1.186 million is going to Job Skills, a GTA non-profit employment and training organization. The funding announced Aug. 13 will be used to deliver skills training and help youth overcome employment barriers.
“A priority for our government is providing young people with the tools and work experience they need,” Newmarket-Aurora MP Tony Van Bynen said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing the development of this project through our $1,186,396 million investment and the tremendous impact it will have on young people in our community."
The federal government said the funding is part of its approach to support youth within economic recovery. It said it is spending $5.7 billion over the next five years to help young Canadians complete their education, acquire new skills and access more work opportunities. This includes funding for job placements programs, such as the Canada Summer Jobs program.
Job Skills’ executive director Bethany Obermayer said the funding would give those 144 youth the skills, learning experiences and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to education.
“These programs, post-COVID, will be essential to the economic recovery of the region, province and country,” Obermayer said.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Carla Qualtrough said young people today are facing unprecedented challenges, with disruptions to their workplaces and studies.
“Creating more opportunities for young people to gain the valuable skills and experience they need is more important now than ever,” Qualtrough said. "Partners, like you, are creating life-changing opportunities by helping youth facing barriers to enter the labour market get the skills and professional training they need to build their future.”
