The Government of Canada partners with the Athabasca Tribal Council to support Aboriginal youth: Funding for the Community Development Internship Project improves skills training and creates jobs

Aboriginal youth in the Wood Buffalo region will have access to skills training thanks to Government of Canada funding for the Community Development Internship Project. This announcement was made today by Mr. Brian Jean, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Fort McMurray–Athabasca, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. The Athabasca Tribal Council will deliver the project under the regional component of the Aboriginal Skills and Training Strategic Investment Fund.

“Aboriginal people are an important part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to create the best educated, the most skilled, and the most flexible workforce in the world,” said Mr. Jean. “With this project, we will help 40 Aboriginal youth between the ages of 15 and 30 gain the skills they need to participate in the labour market today and to be ready for the jobs of the future.”

Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which will help create opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development during these tough economic times, provides $75 million for the Aboriginal Skills and Training Strategic Investment Fund over two years. The Community Development Internship Project will receive $1,480,898, and is one of 71 short-term projects that will provide training opportunities for 5800 Aboriginal individuals and create 2100 jobs.

Through the Fund, the Government of Canada will help Aboriginal people get the specific skills they need to benefit from economic opportunities in a variety of sectors, such as health, aviation, trucking, construction and forestry, among others.

This project will provide individualized skills training to help Aboriginal youth overcome barriers to employment. It will prepare them to enter the workforce and encourage their participation in community development activities. The project will also help 40 Aboriginal youth from across the Wood Buffalo region to find meaningful employment.

Aboriginal Skills and Training Strategic Investment Fund projects support initiatives in various industries that test innovative ideas and approaches to delivering Aboriginal labour market programs. They may also provide training to overcome barriers to employment, such as low literacy.

All projects will deliver measurable results within the two‑year timeframe and will be completed by March 31, 2011.

More information is available on the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada Web site at www.hrsdc.gc.ca.