Government continues focus on youth employment through
Student Investment and Opportunity Corporation

Sandra C. Kelly, Minister of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education, announced funding in the amount of $4.8 million to the Student Investment and Opportunities Corporation (SIOC) for continued support and innovation in youth employment and career development in the province.

"This investment will allow us to continue to provide programs for young people which will give them more opportunities to gain work experience and employment to offset the cost of their education," said Minister Kelly. "The Student Investment Opportunity Corporation helps us ensure that young people have the opportunity for attachment to the workforce and that rural youth in particular can avail of opportunities to save more for their education and reduce their need to borrow."

Since the SIOC was established last year, many projects have helped young people find relevant employment in the province. For example, some 3,000 youth were employed through the Student Work and Service Program (SWASP); there was continued support for the environmental employment initiatives of the Conservation Corps which provides quality work experience for youth in a growth sector; and young people in high school earned tuition vouchers toward their education in the highly successful Tutoring for Tuition program.

"The Student Investment and Opportunity Corporation is a valuable component of my department," said Minister Kelly. "With this renewed investment we continue to address the transition from school to work, and build on existing youth employment programs in our province."

Media contact: Janice Lockyer, Communications, (709) 729-6573.

2002 03 21                            3:30 p.m.