As part of its First Jobs Strategy, the Manitoba government will award $1.35 million under the First Jobs Fund to 13 organizations offering job-readiness programming for youth ages 15 to 29 facing barriers to employment.
“For young Manitobans, finding that first job and making the necessary connections to advance in their careers can be challenging,” said Children and Youth Opportunities Minister Melanie Wight. “The programs supported through the First Jobs Fund will help youth develop employability skills, participate in work experience placements and take those valuable first steps along their career development paths.”
The 13 organizations that will receive First Jobs Fund support include:
- Elmwood Community Resource Centre;
- Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba;
- Macdonald Youth Services;
- Momenta;
- The Momentum Centre;
- Newcomer Employment and Education Immigrant Services;
- New Directions;
- Options Employment Services for Youth;
- Resource Assistance for Youth;
- Spence Neighbourhood Association;
- Taking Charge!;
- Youth Employment Services; and
- YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg Inc.
Minister Wight noted the fund focuses on creating partnerships between agencies serving youth and local businesses, who work together to help youth overcome barriers to employment, develop the skills, abilities, confidence and hands-on job experience they need to enter the workforce.
Programs supported by the First Jobs Fund will assist more than 400 youth and include; career development workshops, work placements, job coaching, literacy and numeracy training, employment assistance for newcomers and refugees, and industry-specific training in areas like food services, hospitality and recreation.
Funding applications will be accepted until March 2016, the minister said.
