March 22, 2000
(Human Resources and Employment)

• NewfoundJOBS is about reinvesting income support funds into work. In the 1999-2000 Budget Human Resources and Employment (HRE) reprofiled $2 million from within its existing budget to fund the program. For 2000-2001 HRE will reprofile an additional $1 million to build upon the success of the program.

• NewfoundJOBS was introduced in the 1999-2000 Budget.

• NewfoundJOBS is about supporting income support clients who are interested in and ready for work with funding support to meet their employment objectives. NewfoundJOBS provides intensive one-on-one employment and career counselling to help people identify and address current barriers to employment. At least 35 per cent of income support clients are underemployed or looking for work.

• NewfoundJOBS uses social assistance funding in a new way - to support people going to work.

• Last year about 1,000 income support clients received a range of supports through NewfoundJOBS.

• NewfoundJOBS is designed to provide specialized employment and career counselling, in addition to financial support, to help people implement their employment plans.

• Once clients have completed their employment plans with the support of career development specialists, a flexible envelope of money will be allocated on an individual basis. This can be used to fund various "steps to employment" outlined in their plans. These steps may include short-term training, job vouchers and wage subsidies, among others. These supports enable clients to make informed career choices based on practical experience.

• NewfoundJOBS creates new and more effective ways for government agencies, the business sector and the community to work together to achieve real outcomes - employment.

• Yes. NewfoundJOBS was introduced in addition to HRE�s current employment and career services. Programs are still available for other underemployed and unemployed individuals.

Media contact: Marcia Porter, Communications, (709) 729-4062.

2000 03 22