Government of Canada helps
Somali youth in Edmonton prepare for job market
Local Somali youth who face barriers to
employment will get job-preparation training and work
experience through the Government of Canada’s support for
the Somali Youth Skills Project. Mr. Peter Goldring, Member
of Parliament for Edmonton East, made the announcement today
on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human
Resources and Skills Development.
“For many young Canadians, making the
transition to the job market is a challenge, especially in
today’s environment,” said Mr. Goldring. “That’s why our
government is creating opportunities for youth to succeed
through support for initiatives like the Somali Youth Skills
Project.”
“We would like to thank the Government
of Canada, particularly the Human Resources and Skills
Development Department for approving our Youth Skills Link
funding Project, which will allow our organization to Help
more local youth in Edmonton to succeed” said Bashir Ahmed,
Executive Director of Somali Canadian Education and Rural
Development Organization”.
“The Youth Skills Link project was
initiated in order to respond to issues and challenges
facing the youth in Edmonton. The primary aim of the project
is to train and prepare 12 youth from Edmonton mainly from
Somali community for future employment. “For the coming 23
weeks, project participants will receive outreach services
that will engage youth and encourage them to consider their
future. The project also will link youth with relevant
support/programs in the community and ultimately connect
them to assessment services, pre-employment training,
schooling or employment” he added.
Skills Link helps youth facing barriers
to employment. These youth include single parents,
Aboriginal youth, youth with disabilities, recent
immigrants, youth living in rural or remote areas, and youth
who have dropped out of high school. The Somali Canadian
Education and Rural Development Organization will receive
over $138,000 in federal Skills Link funding to support its
Somali Youth Skills Project.
