News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--YOUTH INTERNSHIP CANADA SUPPORTS PROJECTS
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Approximately 300 young Nova Scotians will receive
on-the-job training and basic employability skills through
an innovative program initiated by Human Resources
Development Canada.
Secretary of State for Training and Youth, Ethel
Blondin-Andrew today announced funding for four projects
under the Youth Internship Canada program (YIC).
"From coast to coast, young Canadians are getting a taste of
life in the work world in an interesting and meaningful
way," said Ms. Blondin-Andrew. "The purpose of this program
is to help young people make an effective transition from
school to work and to give them the skills and experience to
make decisions about their futures."
The federal government is contributing $500,000 to assist in
establishing YIC projects for the Inverness District School
Board, the Guysborough District School Board, the King's
District School Board and the Atlantic Provinces Special
Education Authority (APSEA) in Halifax. Under the program,
school boards may apply for funding to set up projects with
local business and industry to provide young people with
job-specific and generic skills to lead them on a structured
path toward the world of work.
"Through partnerships with and contributions from business,
industry and other partners, our young people get a better
sense of employment opportunities that exist in their own
communities," said Ray White, Special Policy Advisor on
Literacy, representing Education and Culture Minister John
MacEachern. "By sharing their talents and skills,
communities are providing young people with training
opportunities that build on what they learn in school and
prepare them for future employment."
The projects are designed to meet the interests and
abilities of individual students. The Nova Scotia projects
will provide training opportunities in such areas as:
business information technology, cosmetology, hotel and
restaurant operations, motor vehicle repair, radio and
television broadcasting, computer technology, food service
and the tourism industry.
The target group for YIC is high school graduates who often
do not proceed directly to post-secondary institutions. In
the case of the APSEA project, 30 visually and/or hearing
impaired young people will have training opportunities in a
number of areas.
Project administration will be coordinated through local
school boards and Canada Employment Centres. Upon completion
of the training, students are expected to find permanent
employment, continue on-the-job-training with their
employer, pursue post-secondary training, participate in a
job finding club or receive employment support from other
agencies.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: Backgrounder available by calling
1-800-670-4357 or 902-424-4492.
Contact: Suzanne Cobb 819-953-0927
Don Brown 902-426-8821
Donna MacDonald 902-424-2615
trp Nov. 23, 1995
