Ontario Helping Youth Train for the Workplace

Province Partnering with Industry to Provide Job Experience and In-Demand Skills for Young People

May 19, 2015 3:00 P.M.

Ontario is helping more young people get the skills, training and experience they need to find jobs.

The province has invested over $11 million in Youth Skills Connections. The program creates partnerships between business, educators and not-for-profits to help young people get the skills and training they need to take advantage of local job opportunities.

Forty-five projects have been selected across Ontario. In Guelph, Conestoga College, Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County, Second Chance Employment Services, and Wyndham House are partnering to deliver machining and welding training to youth. At the end of the program, 30 young people will have industry-recognized skills that will prepare them to compete for jobs in the community.

More than 3,400 young people across Ontario have already received training through Youth Skills Connections. The program is part of Ontario’s Youth Jobs Strategy, which has created more than 27,000 job opportunities for young people since its launch in 2013.

Training and connecting youth with jobs is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.

QUOTES

” In today’s fiercely competitive economy, businesses need workers with the in-demand skills and training that will let them hit the ground running. The Youth Skills Connections program will help more vulnerable young people get the skills they need to land a good job, while helping more businesses find the workers they need to thrive.”
– Brad Duguid
Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure

” Guelph has no shortage of talented, well-educated youth from a variety of backgrounds. Connecting more young people with industry-recognized skills can give them the boost they need to launch their careers and keep overcoming the odds.”
– Liz Sandals
Minister of Education and MPP for Guelph

” We’re very pleased to work with the Government of Ontario and our partners to help vulnerable youth acquire the skills and knowledge they need to launch successful careers. Providing opportunities for everyone to achieve their potential transforms lives, creates prosperous communities, and builds a stronger Ontario.”
– John Tibbits
President, Conestoga College

” We’re pleased to partner with the province and local businesses to deliver an industry-recognized skills training program. Vulnerable young people from Guelph and Wellington County have what it takes to be successful employees. Our program will give them the necessary skills to fill the jobs our community needs.”
– Daniel Moore
Executive Director, Family & Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County

QUICK FACTS

Youth Skills Connections projects are divided into two streams: industry and community.
The industry stream connects business, labour and educators to give youth industry-recognized, in-demand training.
The community stream links industry with not-for-profits and educators to identify and deliver the skills vulnerable youth need to build their capacity to find employment.
In its first intake, 51 Youth Skills Connections projects provided youth, including those from Aboriginal, immigrant, rural and other communities, with in-demand skills training and job placements.