November 22, 1999
(Human Resources and Employment)

The following statement was issued today by Julie Bettney, Minister of Human Resources and Employment. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I am very happy to rise before the House of Assembly today to tell everyone about a recent initiative that will give youth access to valuable career information.

The Department of Human Resources and Employment in partnership with Human Resources Development Canada recently launched a new feature on our employment and career website, the Newfoundland and Labrador Work Info Net (NLWIN).

Career Information Profiles provides our young people with access to over 150 occupational profiles. These profiles include provincial information on wage rates, training availability, employment potential and other information specific to an occupation. These profiles were developed under the direction of the Federal/Provincial Labour Market Information Committee with about $150,000 in funding from the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement on Labour Market Development. Students hired by HRE and HRDC during the summer months, gained valuable work experience as they compiled this information.

Before this initiative, our youth would have to settle for career statistics and background information that came from larger centres such as Ontario or Alberta. While this information was useful, it didn't reflect the unique characteristics of our provincial labour market. Now, when a young person accesses information through our website either at home or in their schools, they will be reading local labour market information. They also learn which provincial educational institutions offer training for a particular career, where in the province they can find employment, and the current labour market status for a particular career.

Young people need detailed information on career and educational opportunities that exist right here in our home province. In addition, thanks to the labour market research, our young people can see first hand what job areas are currently on the rise in the province and how they can take advantage of current labour market trends.

Career Information Profiles benefit the entire province. Besides being a valuable resource of information for our youth, the profiles also promote local educational institutions and local employers. Youth can discover that there are many opportunities for them in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the challenges our youth face when preparing to enter the labour market. The Department of Human Resources and Employment together with other government departments has a variety of programs and resources to support our youth. This latest initiative is another valuable resource to add to our ongoing programs and supports that address youth unemployment.

I invite everyone to visit Newfoundland and Labrador Work Info Net which can be accessed through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's Homepage. Once you visit the site I think you will share in my enthusiasm. This is the first time in the province that such a broad range of career information pertaining to Newfoundland and Labrador has been offered in such an easily accessible manner.

1999 11 22 2:55 p.m.