Government of Canada Funding Provided for Peer Tutoring and Heritage Boat Building

February 4, 2003

HARBOUR GRACE, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR - The Winterton Futures Committee and the Harbour Grace Community Youth Network Hub Inc., have received $126,540 in Youth Employment Strategy (YES) funding, providing an opportunity for nine youth to gain valuable work experience. The announcement was made by John Efford, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Trinity-Conception, on behalf of the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada.

Under the first initiative, the Winterton Futures Committee will receive $60,756 for a 30-week project under the Youth Service Canada option, enabling four participants to gain meaningful work experience by researching and learning the skills required to build heritage boats. "Once the youth participants have completed this initiative, they will decide to either enter the labour market or return to school for additional skills enhancement," explained Mr. Efford. "This undertaking will also help to preserve and promote the history of traditional boat making. After the inshore fishing boat is completed, it will be displayed to the public which will attract visitors to the Baccalieu Trail."

Through the second project, the Harbour Grace Community Youth Network Hub Inc., will receive $65,784 for a 30-week initiative, providing an opportunity for five participants to develop their own career path. "The Harbour Grace Community Youth Network Hub Inc., has set up a tutoring program will be set up which will offer tutoring and peer tutoring services to local youth," Mr. Efford said. "Participants will also gain valuable work experience by completing employment placements with community partners and employers."

Youth Service Canada develops work opportunities for youth who face greater barriers to entering the labour market through participation in community service projects. Young people (normally 30 and under) who are unemployed, out of school and legally entitled to work in Canada can participate. YSC projects challenge young people to invest their time, energy and expertise in their communities. Through meaningful service projects designed and implemented by experienced community-based
groups, young people acquire valuable job and life skills while strengthening their sense of accomplishment and attachment to their community.

This project supports the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy to help youth make the transition from school to work and get their first job, in partnership with businesses, non-governmental organizations, communities and other levels of government. The Strategy offers a three-pronged approach to addressing youth unemployment issues: it provides work experience opportunities for unemployed or underemployed youth and students; provides access to relevant information on Canada's labour market; and facilitates access to learning.
Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's administration of its grant and contribution programs.
 

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For more information:

Michelle Andrews
Communications Consultant
Human Resources Development Canada
(709) 772-0234

Jim Harnum/Joan Hiscock
Winterton Futures Committee
(709) 583-2010

Danita Power
Harbour Grace Community Youth Network Hub Inc.
(709) 596-2400

For more information on programs under the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, call the Youth Info Line at 1 800 935-5555, or visit our website at http://www.youth.gc.ca