Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
December 9, 2016
Supporting Youth through Employment Initiative
Over $980,000 in Additional Funding Announced under Linkages Program
The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, was in Corner Brook today to announce over $980,000 in additional approvals under the Linkages program, bringing the total investment in the program to $2.4 million for 2016-17. The program provides funding to community organizations to help youth pursue their career and employment goals.
“This funding will provide for an additional 96 placements for youth to participate in the Linkages program, bringing the total number of placements to 250 for 2016-17. This additional funding will allow 39 community-based organizations to deliver Linkages programming to assist youth with returning to school to complete academic upgrading; enter skills training; continue employment; or explore self-employment.”
- The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
The Linkages program targets youth, 18-30 years of age, who have completed a minimum of Level II high school, been out of high school a minimum of six months, have not completed post-secondary education or made a successful transition to the labour force. Past projects have focused on those who are non-Employment Insurance (EI) eligible, but the department has now extended the program to include EI eligible youth as well.
Included in today’s announced Linkages funding is approximately $20,400 for an additional two placements for the YMCA of Western Newfoundland and Labrador, Humber Community. In 2016-17, the YMCA of Western Newfoundland and Labrador, Humber Community has received a total of over $81,800 in funding for eight Linkages placements. For a complete list of new approved projects, please see the backgrounder below.
“The YMCA of Western Newfoundland and Labrador, Humber Community, is proud to be a community partner for the Linkages program. This allows us to assist youth who are faced with challenges entering the work force by providing valuable work experience and a learning environment that allows them to reach their full potential.”
- Christine Young, Chief Executive Officer, YMCA of Western Newfoundland and Labrador
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.aesl.gov.nl.ca/students/linkages.html.
QUICK FACTS
- The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, was in Corner Brook today to announce over $980,000 in additional approvals under the Linkages program, bringing the total investment in the program to $2.4 million for 2016-17.
- Funding for the additional approvals is provided through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA).
- 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 entering the labour force.
- Linkages offers participants a 26-week subsidized employment placement, bi-weekly career planning workshops and a completion bonus.
- For more information on the Linkages program, please visit: www.aesl.gov.nl.ca/students/linkages.html.
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Media contact:
|
Regan Power Media Relations Manager Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour 709-729-1795, 730-4435 reganpower@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
2016-17 Linkages Project Funding
| Organization | Location | Number of Participants | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ability Employment Corporation | Clarenville | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| Ability Employment Corporation | Bonavista | 1 | $10,225.80 |
| 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 | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| Bonavista Area Youth Network (BAYNET) | Bonavista | 1 | $10,225.80 |
| Botwood Community Youth Network | Botwood | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Cape Freels Development Association | Wesleyville | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| CBDC Trinity Conception Corporation | Carbonear | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Community Education Network | Stephenville | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Community Youth Network Isles of Notre Dame | Twillingate | 1 | $10,225.80 |
| Deer Lake Chamber of Commerce | Deer Lake | 6 | $61,354.80 |
| 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 | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| Green Bay Youth Centre Inc. | Springdale | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Harbour Breton Community Youth Network | Harbour Breton | 1 | $10,225.80 |
| Harbour Grace Community Youth Center | Harbour Grace | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| Humber Community YMCA | Corner Brook | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| Isthmus Area Regional Development Association | Chapel Arm | 1 | $10,225.80 |
| John Howard Society | St. John's | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| John Howard Society | Stephenville | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| Lance Cove Beach Association | Lance Cove | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Open Door Community Youth Network Inc. | Gander | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| Placentia Area Development Association | Placentia | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| Port Aux Basques Chamber of Commerce | Channel-Port aux Basques | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Band | Corner Brook | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| Salvation Army Family Services | Gander | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| Single Parent Association NL | Carbonear | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| Smallwood Crescent Community Centre | Marystown | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| Spinal Cord Injury NL | St. John's | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| Spinal Cord Injury NL | Bay Roberts | 3 | $30,677.40 |
| Spinal Cord Injury NL | Lake Melville | 4 | $40,903.20 |
| Spinal Cord Injury NL | St. Anthony | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| St. Barbe Development Association | Plum Point | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| St. Lawrence Community Youth Network | St. Lawrence | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| St. Mary's Bay North Regional Development Association | St. Mary's | 5 | $51,129.00 |
| Straits Rural Development Association | Shoal's Cove East | 2 | $20,451.60 |
| Trepassey Management Corporation 1 | Trepassey | 2 | $20,451.60 |
2016 12 09 11:00 a.m.