June 30, 1999
(Human Resources and Employment)

Labrador group attends international conference

The Labrador Friendship Centre's success helping young people find work or continue with their education won it a place at an international conference on youth programs in Hull, Quebec, June 19-23.

The centre's Linkages program, funded by the provincial Department of Human Resources and Employment, is seen as a new initiative across the country because it targets young people at risk of unemployment.

Run through its Youth Career Drop In Centre (YCDC), Linkages is so successful that 22 out 25 participating youths have found full-time jobs or are pursuing post-secondary studies. These numbers, and the program's innovative approach, caught the attention of Human Resource Development Canada's Youth Initiative Division and the National Volunteer Organization, sponsor of the conference.

"The conference was an excellent opportunity to learn about successful approaches to youth employment and network at an international level," said YCDC counsellor Claudette Whittle, who presented at the conference with colleague Debbie Keats. "It's a wonderful acknowledgement of the importance of the centre and the Linkages program to Labrador youth."

The conference focused on school-to-work or unemployment-to-employment transition projects for youth at risk of unemployment. About 130 government, private and voluntary sector participants from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the United States attended.

"We are very pleased that the Linkages program has been recognized in this way," said Agnes Rumboldt, Human Resources and Employment's Labrador Regional Manager. "We know the program works and it's nice to receive international recognition of the program's success."

The YCDC is one of many services offered by the Labrador Friendship Centre, located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. It offers individual career counselling, and promotes youth employment through initiatives like the Linkages program.

Linkages is a youth employment initiative of the Department of Human Resources and Employment and is offered in over 40 communities around the province. The 26-week program places young people in jobs that are relevant to their career goals and is aimed at young people ages 18-24 who have completed grade 12 but who have not started work or post-secondary education. They gain valuable work experience and receive training to enhance personal and career planning skills.

Media contact: Marcia Porter, Communications, (709) 729-4062.

1999 06 30         3:35 p.m.