Government of Canada helps university graduates gain international work experience

July 28, 2003

GANDER, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR-The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Member of Parliament for Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte and Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development, today announced Government of Canada Youth Employment Strategy funding of $75,338 to give three youth international work experience in their field of study.

Under the project, the three participants will conduct extensive research for the Town of Gander on the feasibility of establishing a National - International Relief Distribution Centre in the area and/or at other points within Newfoundland and Labrador. The participants will spend an extended period visiting the world's largest United Nation's sanctioned relief distribution centre in Copenhagen, Denmark to gather information as part of the study. Depending on the results of the feasibility study, the results may be used to build a business case for the UN to sanction a National - International Relief Distribution Centre in the province. The 25-week project began on April 14, 2003 and will run until October 3, 2003.

"This project will help three young members of the local community gain valuable work experience that will help them secure future employment," said Minister Byrne. "In light of the events of September 11th, and the role Gander played, this project will also give us insight into how we may be better able to serve the international 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: providing work experience opportunities for unemployed or underemployed youth and students; providing access to relevant information on Canada's labour market; and facilitating access to learning.

The $75,338 project is receiving $45,000 in funding through the Youth Employment Strategy, as well as up to $30,338 in funding from the Job Creation Partnerships program of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement.

Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget.

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:

R.J. (Bob) Picco
Regional Communications Manager
Human Resources Development Canada
(709) 772-5346

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