Government of Canada makes further investments to help youth facing barriers to employment

Canada’s economic recovery depends on young people being able to get good, well-paying jobs in the future. That is why the Government of Canada is continuing to take strong action to ensure that young Canadians have the supports they need to move forward from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and successfully plan for their careers.

Today, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, met virtually with representatives from the Hollyburn Family Services Society to highlight their innovative Wired 4 Success project, funded through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS).

Minister Qualtrough announced that, since September 2020, the Hollyburn Family Services Society will have received nearly $460,000 in additional funding, and that the duration of their project will be extended until June 2021. This will allow the organization to continue providing job supports to young people in North Vancouver. In particular, the funding will benefit youth who are facing additional barriers to employment due to the pandemic, and the total number of participants will increase from 146 to 185.

For more than four years, the Hollyburn Family Services Society, through its Wired 4 Success project, has provided targeted skills training and work opportunities for young people who face barriers to employment. Participants have included Indigenous youth, homeless youth, early-leavers from high school, recent immigrants and young people with disabilities. Through case management, group-based employability training and individual enhancement sessions, young people participating in this project have benefited from a wide range of skills, knowledge and work experience in the hospitality, arts, technology and media sectors.

Today’s announcement builds on the commitments made in both the Fall Economic Statement and the Speech from the Throne, which included creating more job opportunities for young Canadians through YESS in response to the pandemic. Taken together, these measures are not only helping to ensure that young people get the financial support they need now, but that they continue to have access to the tools and opportunities that will help them build long and successful careers.