November 09, 2005
Toronto, Ontario

BACKGROUNDER

These projects, being delivered by Service Canada are part of the Skills Link program which falls under the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy.

The Skills Link program provides funding to community organizations to help youth facing barriers to employment – such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth who have not completed high school and young people living on the streets – get the information, develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to participate in the job market. The Skills Link program consists of a wide range of activities that can be tailored to meet individual needs.

BREAKING THE CYCLE: YOUTH GANG EXIT AND YOUTH
AMBASSADOR LEADERSHIP EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION PROJECT
Partner: CTI Canadian Training Institute/ Institut Canadien de Formation Inc.
Service Canada Funding: $372,830

The Breaking the Cycle project will assist 25 youth facing barriers who are gang involved to leave gang membership and become contributing members of their communities by helping them acquire life and employment skills through workshops and participation in community service activities.

Workshops will include topics such as, interpersonal communication skills, anger management, problem solving skills, literacy assessment and job search techniques. The community service activities will include outreach and community presentations to schools, parents, teachers, youth-serving agencies and community leaders.

The project involves youth from highly racially diverse and challenging areas in Toronto. The project began April 1, 2005.

COMMUNITY SAFETY: MULTI-BARRIERED YOUTH PROJECT
Partner: City of Toronto
Service Canada Funding: $1,937,794

Over a 52-week period, the City of Toronto will assist 108 multi-barriered youth from three high risk areas (Malvern, Jane and Finch, and Jamestown) to overcome barriers to employment and increase job opportunities. Participating youth will develop a broad range of knowledge and skills required to fully participate in the labour market.

Youth will participate in workshops and community service activities. Examples of workshops include effective communications, conflict resolution and development of positive work habits. Community service activities include involvement in peer support and community safety activities.

The City of Toronto will implement the project in partnership with community-based agencies to support the City of Toronto Neighbourhood Action Plans and Community Safety.

2 WHEEL DRIVE PROJECT
Partner: Community Unity Alliance
Service Canada Funding: $350,764

Over a 52-week period, the Community Unity Alliance will provide life/employability skills workshops and work experience to 36 unemployed youth with barriers to employment and facilitate their transition into the labour market.

Through workshops, participants will learn social communication skills, improve group dynamics capabilities, conflict resolution, and race relations and anti-discrimination principles. Resume writing, as well as job application workshops will also be provided.

Participants will organize and facilitate the distribution of bicycles for children in select low-income families in Toronto. They will refurbish old bicycles and work with major sponsors and the community to facilitate the annual “bike drive.” In addition, participants will be well equipped with safety shoes, tools and coveralls. This project includes partnerships with Toronto Police Services, Canadian Tire and the RCMP. The project started on September 6, 2005.

Youth Employment Strategy

The Youth Employment Strategy (YES) is the Government of Canada’s commitment to help young people, between the ages of 15 and 30, get the information and gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition to the workplace.

The YES is delivered by thirteen Government of Canada departments and agencies that work in partnership with all levels of government, the private sector and community organizations to help youth prepare for and participate in the world of work.

Three programs are offered under the Government of Canada’s YES: Skills Link, Summer Work Experience and Career Focus.

Skills Link helps youth facing barriers to employment develop the broad range of skills, knowledge and work experience they need to participate in the job market. Career Focus provides post-secondary graduates with career-related work opportunities in Canada and abroad to help them acquire advanced skills and become leaders in their fields. Summer Work Experience creates summer employment for secondary and post-secondary students, and supports the operation of summer employment offices.

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