Williams Government Makes Further Investments in Youth

Train for Trades, a unique program offered by Choices for Youth that gives young people experience with skilled trades, has received new financial support from the Provincial Government. The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Youth Engagement, announced more than $560,000 in funding today to support the administration of the program in its second phase.

"The Williams Government is proud to support this innovative and comprehensive approach to helping young people discover their true potential so that they can become confident and independent adults," said Minister Sullivan. "Demand for skilled workers in this province is increasing, and so by helping resilient youth explore this field, Choices for Youth is opening up a wealth of opportunities for the participants."

The first phase of the Train for Trades program began in August 2008. Ten youth were provided basic safety and construction training and then given employment opportunities in the renovation of Choices for Youth's Lilly Building facility. Throughout the process the participants were provided with supports and guidance that were tailored to their needs. The outcomes were exciting, as six of the 10 participants upgraded their education, four earned their General Education Diploma, four entered into post-secondary studies in the skilled trades, and three found employment in the construction industry. Phase two began this year and involves 10 more youth who have received similar training and are currently working alongside veteran CUPE members to complete renovations to Newfoundland Labrador Housing units.

"This program supports two key priorities of our government — to support youth in their educational goals and to promote careers in the skilled trades," said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education. "Train for Trades encourages youth to succeed and has already proven to be an effective learning experience. The Provincial Government is proud to invest funding to enable more youth to take advantage of this program."

"We are proud of the initial outcomes of our Train for Trades program and we are very pleased that the Provincial Government has come onside with support that will allow us to continue the project into its second phase," said Sheldon Pollett, Executive Director of Choices for Youth. "As prosperity grows within the province it is important that all young people are given opportunities to benefit, and this program helps achieve that. I am grateful to the Provincial Government and all our partners for making the second phase a reality and I Iook forward to finding more opportunities to work with the province for the benefit of youth."

Supporting employment opportunities for at risk youth is complementary to the Williams Government's Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy (YRAS) and its Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS). The YRAS was officially launched in November 2009 with the objective of countering the impacts of out-migration, strengthening the labour market, and supporting the economic development of the province. The PRS was launched in 2006 with the goal of transforming Newfoundland and Labrador into the province with the lowest level of poverty in Canada within a 10 year period.

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2010 07 08                    12:50 p.m.