Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
October 7, 2016
Assisting Youth to Achieve Career and Employment Goals
Over $1.5 Million Announced in Project Approvals for Linkages Program
The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, today announced more than $1.5 million in project approvals for Linkages, a career and employment program to help young people succeed in Newfoundland and Labrador. The announcement was made at the Qalipu First Nation office in Corner Brook.
For a complete list of projects, please see the backgrounder below.
“Through partnering with community organizations, Linkages is providing approximately 150 at-risk youth from diverse backgrounds the supports they need to succeed at work, school, and life. Young people succeed best when they receive support and encouragement, and a clearly demonstrated belief from others that obstacles, which life may place in their way, can be overcome. That is what the Linkages program is all about.”
- The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
Funded through the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, in partnership with non-profit community-based agencies, Linkages assists young people who have challenges transitioning from school into the labour force. With a focus on youth who are non-Employment Insurance eligible, Linkages aims to help individuals return to school to further their education; enter skills training; continue employment; or pursue self-employment.
“Youth are often faced with the challenge of securing an entry-level job because they have little or no work experience. We have seen firsthand through delivering the Linkages program to our members, that it is essential in supporting youth facing various employment barriers such as social, cultural, economic, educational and minimal job skills. The program allows youth to work in environments that provide adequate supervision, training and guidance to maximize their potential.”
- Chief Brendan Mitchell, Qalipu First Nation
Linkages offers participants a 26-week paid employment placement; bi-weekly career planning workshops; and a completion bonus. For more information on the Linkages program, please visit: www.aes.gov.nl.ca/students/linkages.html.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government today announced over $1.5million in project approvals for the Linkages program, which assists youth between the ages of 18 and 30 achieve their career and employment goals.
- Funded through the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour and in partnership with non-profit community-based agencies, Linkages assists young people who have challenges entering the labour force and who are currently not eligible for Employment Insurance.
- Linkages offers a 26-week paid employment placement; bi-weekly career planning workshops; and a completion bonus.
- Employers receive a wage subsidy towards the youth’s salary during the work placement.
- Participating community-based agencies receive a 15 per cent administrative fee to assist with monitoring, administering and providing bi-weekly career planning sessions to the youth participants.
- For more information on the Linkages program, please visit: www.aes.gov.nl.ca/students/linkages.html.
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Media contacts:
|
John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour 709-729-0753, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca |
Alison White Communications Officer Qalipu First Nation 709-634-5163 awhite@qalipu.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
2016-17 Linkages Project Funding
| Organization | Location | Number of Participants | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ability Employment Corporation | Clarenville | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Ability Employment Corporation | Bonavista | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Baie Verte Economic Development Association | Baie Verte | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| Bay d'Espoir Community Youth Network | Bay d'Espoir | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| Bay St. George South Area Development Association | Jeffrey's | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| Bonavista Area Youth Network | Bonavista | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Botwood Community Youth Network | Botwood | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| Cape Freels Development Association | Wesleyville | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| CBDC Trinity Conception Corporation | Carbonear | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Community Centre Alliance | St. John's | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| Community Education Network | Stephenville | 5 | $51,129.00 |
| Community Youth Network Isles of Notre Dame | Twillingate | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Deer Lake Chamber of Commerce | Deer Lake | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| Exploits Community Association | Grand Falls-Windsor | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Exploits Valley YMCA | Grand Falls-Windsor | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| Flat Bay Band Inc. | St. George's | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| Green Bay Youth Centre Inc. | Springdale | 5 | $51,129.00 |
| Harbour Breton Community Youth Network | Harbour Breton | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Harbour Grace Community Youth Center | Harbour Grace | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Humber Community YMCA | Corner Brook | 6 | $61,354.80 |
| Isthmus Area Regional Development Association | Chapel Arm | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| John Howard Society | St. John's | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| John Howard Society | Stephenville | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| Lance Cove Beach Association | Lance Cove | 5 | $51,129.00 |
| Open Door Community Youth Network Inc. | Gander | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Placentia Area Development Association | Placentia | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| Port aux Basques Chamber of Commerce | Channel-Port aux Basques | 7 | $71,580.60 |
| Qalipu First Nation Band | Corner Brook | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| Salvation Army Family Services | Gander | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| Single Parent Association NL | Carbonear | 5 | $51,129.00 |
| Smallwood Crescent Community Centre | Marystown | 5 | $51,129.00 |
| Spinal Cord Injury NL | St. John's | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| Spinal Cord Injury NL | Bay Roberts | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| Spinal Cord Injury NL | Lake Melville | 6 | $61,354.80 |
| Spinal Cord Injury NL | St. Anthony | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| St. Barbe Development Association | Plum Point | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| St. Lawrence Community Youth Network | St. Lawrence | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| St. Mary's Bay North Regional Development Association | St. Mary's | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| Straits Rural Development Association | Shoal's Cove East | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Town of Gambo (Gambo Public Library Board) | Gambo | 5 | $51,129.00 |
2016 10 07 12:10 p.m.