Finding a job is tough for just about everyone these days, but three groups who specialize in helping those who face additional challenges in securing employment have received financial assistance from the federal government for their ongoing efforts.
Sault MP Bryan Hayes was on hand at the Sault YMCA Thursday to announce over $1.1 million in federal funding for three different programs, administered by the Sault YMCA, the Sault March of Dimes office and Positively Charged, which help youth with various challenges and disabilities get into the workforce.
Over 150 youth are expected to benefit.
"Workers with disabilities score average or above average in performance ratings, in their job attendance records and safety on the job, and employers say workers with a disability tend to work harder than other employees and are more likely to stay on the job longer than other workers," said Joan Teresinski, Sault March of Dimes office manager, to an audience gathered at the YMCA Thursday.
The March of Dimes will receive $439,000 for programming to help youth (35 in the Sault, another 15 in Timmins) 18 to 30 years old, as a result of Thursday's funding announcement.
Four weeks of in-class training for Sault March of Dimes clients will be held at 550 Queen Street West, most likely beginning in March, followed by a job placement, Teresinski said.
The Sault YMCA, run by executive director Kim Caruso, will receive $328,000 for youth employment programming.
"Our clients, 15 to 30 years old, have barriers to employment other than disabilities, they might be young parents, young mothers out of high school, or having difficulty with mental illness or self esteem issues, having a hard time making the transition to meaningful employment," Caruso said to SooToday.
The YMCA program will consist of four groups of clients, 12 in each group, for a 14 week period.
There will be four weeks of training in a classroom environment at the YMCA at 235 McNabb Street in which clients will be assisted in resume preparation and job interview training, followed by 10 week work placements.
While clients must do their own job search, the YMCA will assist in finding a placement for each client.
Positively Charged, an independent Sault group established by Tina Fascina and Dawna Kinnunen, will get $377,000 for 70 clients in the Sault.
Positively Charged clients with physical or invisible disabilities will receive training in two week workshops at the Positively Charged office at 137 Andrew Street, starting at the beginning of every month, followed by work placements averaging up to 16 weeks in duration.
Participants in each program are paid for the classroom and hands-on work placements through the funding announced by MP Hayes Thursday.
For more information regarding eligibility for these programs and their exact start dates, those interested may contact the Sault YMCA, the Sault March of Dimes office or Positively Charged.
A news release from Sault MP Bryan Hayes follows.
(PHOTO: Sault MP Bryan Hayes flanked by Joan Teresinski, Sault March of Dimes manager, Tina Fascina and Dawna Kinnunen of Positively Charged, and Kim Caruso, Sault YMCA executive director at a funding announcement, January 22, 2015. Darren Taylor/SooToday)
The announcement was made today by Bryan Hayes, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development.
The Sault Ste. Marie YMCA is receiving over $328,000 and March of Dimes Canada is receiving over $439,000, through the Skills Link program, for their projects to help a total of 85 youth in Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins overcome barriers to employment.
Through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, Positively Charged Co. Inc. is receiving more than $377,000 for its project to help 70 people with disabilities in Sault Ste. Marie, Blind River and Elliot Lake fully participate in the workforce.
In all three projects, participants will develop the skills they need to enter and succeed in the job market.
Through group workshops, they will learn or improve employment skills, such as stress management or customer service.
Many participants will also benefit from work experience with local employers in sectors such as construction, hospitality or tourism.
Some participants will also receive specialized training, such as occupational health and safety.
Since 2006, the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, which includes the Skills Link program, has helped over 611,000 youth, and the Opportunities Fund has helped 40,000 people with disabilities.
This is part of the Government of Canada’s overall strategy to equip all Canadians with the skills and training they need to connect with available jobs.
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada is helping Canadian youth get the skills employers are looking for with the Canada Job Grant, apprenticeship grants and the new Canada Apprentice Loan. The Government also offers tax credits, such as the tuition, education and textbook tax credits, tradesperson’s tools deduction and the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit.
- Economic Action Plan 2014 introduced the Canada Apprentice Loan, which provides apprentices registered in Red Seal trades with interest-free loans of up to $4,000 to complete their technical training. Loans are interest-free until apprentices complete or leave their apprenticeship training program, up to a maximum of six years. At least 26,000 apprentices are expected to apply annually.
- To provide more demand-driven training solutions for people with disabilities, the Government’s Economic Action Plan is increasing funding to $40 million annually to the Opportunities Fund. Employers and community organizations will be involved in designing and delivering training projects.
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A call for proposals for Opportunities Fund national projects is underway and closes on January 30, 2015. Projects focusing on youth and work experience are being prioritized to help increase job opportunities for Canadians with disabilities. For more information about how to submit proposals, please visit: http://www.servicecanada.gc.
ca/eng/of/national/index.shtml
Quotes
“Our Government’s top priorities are creating jobs and economic growth. To support Canada’s long-term prosperity, Canadian employers must tap into all available talent. Initiatives like Skills Link and Opportunities Fund help connect youth and people with disabilities with jobs while ensuring that Canada’s economy benefits from the skills and talents of all Canadians.”
– The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development
“The prosperity and growth of our economy goes hand-in-hand with providing Canadians with the skills they need to enter and succeed in the job market. In partnership with local organizations, our Government is helping both youth and Canadians with disabilities in Sault Ste. Marie and throughout the region get the skills and experience they need to obtain jobs in today’s economy.”
– Bryan Hayes, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie
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