June 5, 2019 Gatineau, Quebec Employment and Social Development Canada
Canada's continued prosperity depends on young Canadians launching meaningful careers. By helping them gain the skills and experience they need for a fair chance at success, we are investing in our greatest asset-our people.
Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, highlighted the Government's investment of over $500,000 in the First People's Innovation Centre's "FabLab ONAKI" empowerment and socio-professional integration of Aboriginal youth program. This investment is helping 36 Indigenous youth in Gatineau overcome barriers to employment and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to make a successful transition into the labour market or return to school.
This announcement also echoes the June 3 announcement made by Minister Hajdu launching the new Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS). The YESS will provide more flexible employment services and enhanced supports for all young Canadians. It will help youth develop the skills and gain the experience they need to successfully transition into the labour market and ensure that no one is left behind.
On June 3 the Minister also launched a Call for Proposals for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) funding under the YESS from organizations that help young people overcome barriers to employment. The Call is open until July 26, 2019.
"The new Youth Employment and Skills Strategy builds on the success of the Youth Employment Strategy to support the next generation of the middle class. Young Canadians are talented, ambitious and hard-working, but getting a strong start in the workforce can be challenging for many. The new Strategy will make it easier for young people to transition from the classroom to the workforce, including those facing barriers. It is part of our plan to ensure that everyone has a fair chance at success."
- The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
"The ONAKI FabLab helps to bring out the full potential of young Indigenous people, especially young people who have dropped out of school. The FabLab makes it possible to start with raw talent and offers opportunities for this talent to emerge. "
- Céline Auclair, FabLab ONAKI General Manager, co-founder of the First People's Innovation Centre
Quick facts
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Participants in the FabLab ONAKI program complete 12 weeks of paid job placements in the public, private or not-for-profit sectors.
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The Government of Canada funded the First People's Innovation Centre's "FabLab ONAKI" empowerment and socio-professional integration of Aboriginal youth program through the former Youth Employment Strategy- Skills Link Program.
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The YESS has been modernized to respond to recommendations made by the Expert Panel on Youth Employment to deliver a wider range of programs to help youth overcome barriers to employment and gain the skills, abilities and work experience needed to get a strong start in their careers. The modernized strategy will aim to offer more flexible services, broadened eligibility, and enhanced supports for youth facing barriers to employment tailored to address each individual's challenges.
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ESDC's Call for Proposals is open to organizations that help young people overcome barriers to employment. The Call will be open until July 26, 2019, for projects that are either national or regional in scope, starting as early as April 1, 2020.
- National: Project activities must take place in three or more provinces or territories.
- Regional: Project activities can be provincial, territorial, or local in scope, but are limited to one province or territory.
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Organizations are strongly encouraged to open an account on the secure Government Grants and Contributions Online Service portal, a one-time process that will allow them to apply for this and other funding opportunities across Employment and Social Development Canada.
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The previous streams of the YES (Skills Link, Career Focus, Summer Work Experience) have been integrated to create a more holistic approach to funding and service delivery. The Canada Summer Jobs program has expanded eligibility to all youth aged 15-30-no longer restricting the program to just students.
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To help youth people gain the skills and work they need to find and maintain good employment, Budget 2019 proposes to build on previous investments to invest an additional $49.5 million over five years to launch a modernized Youth Employment Strategy. Through Budget 2018, the government is providing an additional $448.5 million over five years starting in 2018-19, to modernize the strategy, as well as to continue providing more Canada Summer Jobs in summer 2019.
