COBOURG, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 5, 2010) - A post-secondary education graduate will get an opportunity to enhance and develop his or her employment skills through a Northumberland Community Legal Centre project sponsored by the Government of Canada. Mr. Rick Norlock, Member of Parliament for Northumberland–Quinte West, 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 Mr. Norlock. "Our government is proud to support projects that offer post-secondary graduates the opportunity to develop the skills and gain experience that will help them reach their full potential."
The Northumberland Community Legal Centre will receive $14,996 in Career Focus funding to hire a recent post-secondary graduate, in order to help this individual apply the skills acquired through his or her education. It is expected that the employer will hire the participant full-time upon completion of the project.
"With a very small staff to serve an expanding clientele, this funding to hire an articling student will give a tremendous boost to our legal clinic," said Ms. Lois Cromarty, Executive Director of the Northumberland Community Legal Centre. "It's a win-win-win situation for the Legal Centre, the student and the low-income residents of Northumberland. Poverty reduction is a high priority for the Centre due to the pressing need in our county. This could not have come at a better time."
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.
Career Focus 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 this commitment 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 Career Focus 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 O-Canada or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.
This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
BACKGROUNDER
The Northumberland Community Legal Centre promotes social justice, equity, and the right to self-determination. It helps the unemployed and disadvantaged residents of Northumberland County through programs that give help for the real-world problems of low-income people. Between May 31, 2010, and March 11, 2011, the Centre will provide career-related work experience to a post-secondary graduate. The articling student will work with seniors and low-income Canadians to help them with legal issues related to applying for retirement, disability and work-related benefits, including filing appeals and representing clients before tribunals. Additionally, the participant will visit local high schools and youth correctional facilities to provide education on legal issues affecting youth.
As part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, the Career Focus 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 Skills Link.
Career Focus links highly skilled, post-secondary youth with potential employers who can provide them with career-related work experience and help them acquire advanced employment skills to facilitate their transition into the rapidly changing labour market.