“In today’s environment, it is more important than ever that youth develop the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Mr. Kerr. “By supporting this project, we are helping Nova Scotia youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”

Nova Scotia Community College’s Annapolis Valley Campus will receive $521,156 in federal Skills Link funding to support its YouthWorks project, which will help 700 youth facing employment barriers develop life and job skills to ease their transition to work or return to school.

Skills Link focuses on helping youth facing barriers to employment, such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school.

“YouthWorks reaches young people in their home communities and builds a pathway to a better future that many youth want for themselves but need help finding,” said Mr. Jim Stanley, Principal of the College’s Annapolis Valley Campus. “The impact this program has on young lives can’t be overstated, and this funding will help us reach even more people.”

A key component of Canada’s Economic Action Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development. To learn more about the Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.