Human Resources, Labour and Employment
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
June 3, 2010New
Co-operative Enterprise Pilot Project Encourages
Skill Development and Career Opportunities for Youth
Young people throughout Newfoundland and
Labrador will have the opportunity to develop new skills and pursue
career development opportunities in the co-operative business sector
through a new pilot project, Skills Development and Career Opportunities
for Youth: The Co-operative Enterprise Option. Through a Provincial
Government investment of $250,000 over three years, the Departments of
Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Innovation, Trade and Rural
Development, will work in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador
Federation of Co-operatives to support this initiative.
"This initiative will directly assist
young people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly in rural
areas, in their search for meaningful employment opportunities," said
the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment. "It will also inform young people about how they can create
jobs for themselves by using worker ownership co-op models."
"Co-op development enables businesses to
come together and realize the benefits of combining resources to target
new opportunities," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "The work of the Provincial
Government, in collaboration with the Newfoundland and Labrador
Federation of Co-operatives, will help create awareness of co-ops, how
they support business growth, and continue to cultivate the
entrepreneurial spirit of the province's youth."
In addition to generating opportunities
for skills and career development for youth, this pilot project will
also assist the province's co-operatives in addressing employee
succession issues and the ongoing success of their enterprises.
"We are very excited that the Provincial
Government is supporting this initiative," said Glen Fitzpatrick,
Managing Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of
Co-operatives. "We know that young people want to play a strong role in
creating sustainable business and employment opportunities in this
province. This project will help us strengthen our services to help
ensure youth are aware of the benefits of co-operatives business
ventures and give them opportunities to become involved with, and
explore our sector."
The funding for this initiative is being
provided under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market
Agreement (LMA).
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Media contacts:
Bradley
Power
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 697-5216
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca
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Glen Fitzpatrick
Managing Director
Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Co-operatives
709-726-9431
gfitz@nlfc.nf.ca
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Scott
Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca
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2010 06 03
10:30 a.m.
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