Human Resources, Labour and Employment
January 21, 2011
Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy Provides Grants
for Engagement
and Leadership Opportunities
The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Youth Engagement, announced a $75,000 investment today under the Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy, to enable young people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador to have access to grants for engagement and leadership opportunities.
“This initiative from the Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy will enable young people to engage in training and conferences designed to help them develop the skills required to participate as members of local boards, agencies and community groups,” said Minister King. “This initiative also allows those community groups to identify an individual who they feel should make use of the grant program and is capable of making a real difference in their community.”
The Youth Grants for Engagement and Leadership initiative, being administered by the Harbour Breton Community Youth Network (CYN) on behalf of the province, was developed in cooperation with the Community Youth Network and will provide grants up to a maximum of $1,500 per individual.
The Community Youth Network has 23 offices and 13 satellite locations throughout the province. They offer programming and training for youth age 15-29, providing them support to mature into educated, employable members of their community. Some examples of the work CYNs undertake include career planning, employment, recreation, community capacity building, and leadership development.
Minister King noted that youth grants are the latest in a series of initiatives designed to help young people stay and prosper in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Creating A Province of Choice: A Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador was launched in November 2009, and contained 41 initiatives supported by a $15 million investment over three years. Of those 41 initiatives, 28 have been initiated and are ongoing.
“The Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy is a clear indication of our government’s strong commitment to youth,” said Minister King. “The strategy was developed with full participation of over 485 young people from all corners of the province, many of whom indicated access to training and leadership opportunities was a priority for them. We have heard their call and today’s announcement is another indication of our government’s commitment.”
Individuals and groups seeking information about the new grants can visit www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/hrle or call the Labour Market and Career Information hotline toll-free at 1-800-563-6600.
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Media contact:
Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca
2011 01 21 11:00 a.m.