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NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti announces $1,167,167 to create work placements for Northern youth in Sault Ste. Marie

McGuinty government invests in 69 new internships and co-op placements

SAULT STE. MARIE - More youth are ready for the job market after completing internships and co-op placements in Sault Ste. Marie and across the North, David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

"This investment will encourage Sault Ste. Marie's youth to explore future opportunities in the North while providing a boost to the local economy," said Orazietti. "We recognize the importance of helping young people gain practical work experience to prepare them to be future leaders of our community."

Employers in Sault Ste. Marie are receiving a total of $1,167,167 for 69 internship and co-op placements.

Some of the local employers offering youth internships include organizations such as: Child Care Algoma, Sault Symphony Association, ARCH Hospice, and the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre.

Since launching the program in 2005, the McGuinty government has provided more than $3.4 million for 182 placements in Sault Ste. Marie.

Since November 2008, nearly 500 young people in Northern Ontario have enrolled in placements supported by the province’s Youth Internship and Co-op Program.

These students are learning important skills that will one day help them work in diverse fields such as television production, nursing, accounting, engineering and information technology.

Part of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOFHC), this workplace training program provides a wage subsidy to help Northern employers invest in training young people; supporting them as they build their careers and prepare for future opportunities in the North.

“Our investments are helping employers provide hundreds of interesting and exciting job opportunities for young northerners and are ensuring the future growth and prosperity of our region,” said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry and chair of the NOHFC.

Quick facts

More than $8.1 million has been invested in the NOHFC’S Youth Internship and Co-op Program since November 2008 supporting 1,518 placements in Northern Ontario,

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