Supporting Employment and Skills Training for Youth in the City of Quebec

QUÉBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - July 28, 2015) - Industry Canada

Today's labour market is fluid and is continually shifting to meet the demands of the digital global economy. This can create significant barriers to employment for young Canadians who lack work experience. The Government of Canada appreciates how important it is that youth receive the training they need to take advantage of the opportunities of the global digital economy.

Today, the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry, announced that the Réseau des Sociétés d'aide au développement des collectivités et Centres d'aide aux entreprises (Network of Community Futures Development Corporations and Community Business Development Corporations) will receive $1,113,541 in funding under the Youth Internship (YI) Program. The Réseau is a network of non-profit agencies that work to stimulate entrepreneurship and build the well-being of their communities. The Réseau's 57 Community Futures Development Corporations and 10 Community Business Development Corporations bring together 1,350 volunteers and 400 professionals who promote their interests and expertise, and who share and develop innovative tools to further their communities' development objectives.

Funding provided through the YI Program will offset costs associated with hiring youth interns. These interns will in turn benefit from on-the-job work experience and ultimately improve their employability and marketability in the digital and knowledge-based economy.

The YI Program is one of several work experience programs administered by the Government of Canada and supports Digital Canada 150, a plan for ensuring Canada can take full advantage of the economic opportunities of the digital age.

Quick facts

• This year, two not-for-profit organizations in Quebec are receiving approximately $2.1 million through the Youth Internship (YI) Program to support the development of youth interns.
• Each year, the YI Program supports about 1,000 young Canadians who intern for not-for-profit organizations and gain experience in the area of information and communications technologies (ICT).
• The internships are intended to provide employment opportunities for young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30, primarily students and recent graduates.
• In addition, these internships help create jobs and other social, educational and economic benefits for Canadians that arise from the expanded use of ICTs.
• Internships are professional positions that help inexperienced workers get the training they need to help them successfully transition to the workforce.
• The YI Program is coordinated by Industry Canada and is funded through the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, which is overseen by Employment and Social Development Canada.

Quote

"The Youth Internship Program is another way the Government is making Canada a digital nation. Internships provide our youth with the skills they need to be productive and competitive so they can take advantage of the opportunities of a digital future. Projects like the one announced today will help youth throughout Quebec and will encourage Canada's not-for-profit organizations to adopt ICTs."

- The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

"The Youth Internship Program is essential in outlying regions because it not only enables youth to gain hands-on experience with new technologies but also encourages them to return and work-or even live-in these regions."

- Hélène Deslauriers, Executive Director, Réseau des Sociétés d'aide au développement des collectivités (SADC) et Centres d'aide aux entreprises (CAE)

Associated links

Government of Canada Services for Youth

Youth Employment Strategy

Industry Canada's Digital Canada 150 plan

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