The Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island will help 10 people with disabilities gain the skills they need to get jobs in the Charlottetown area.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Valerie E. Docherty, Minister of Community Services and Seniors and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Government of Prince Edward Island, today announced support for the Canadian Paraplegic Association of Prince Edward Island.
“Our government’s top priority is job creation and economic growth. All Canadians should have the opportunity to get the skills they need to succeed in today's job market,” said Minister Shea. “By supporting this program, our government is helping Islanders with disabilities maximize their potential and independence.”
The Canadian Paraplegic Association of Prince Edward Island is working in partnership with the Prince Edward Island Council of People with Disabilities on the Discovering the Power in Me program. The Program is receiving close to $120,000 from the governments of Canada and P.E.I. to help participants enhance their resumé and cover letter writing, improve time and stress management, develop self-assessment skills, as well as help them find and get jobs. Federal funding is being delivered through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities.
"The Government of Prince Edward Island is pleased to partner with and support the Discovering the Power in Me program," said Minister Docherty. "This program will improve the employability of the participants by addressing pre-employment skill building and by facilitating a job opportunity in the labour market on Prince Edward Island."
BACKGROUNDER
The Government of Canada is committed to breaking down barriers that prevent Canadians with disabilities from reaching their full potential with a wide range of effective policies, programs and services.
The Enhanced Employment Assistance Services component of the Opportunities Fund is designed to help Canadians with disabilities who have little or no work experience and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance benefits. The Fund can help eligible organizations deliver employment-related programs and services that assist people with disabilities to integrate into the workplace.
The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities is part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to create the best-educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The Government highlighted its commitment to this strategy in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. One of the key elements of the Plan consists of increasing and improving opportunities available to Canadian workers through skills development. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Through SkillsPEI, the Government of Prince Edward Island delivers a range of programs and services that address the province’s labour market priorities and needs. A division of the Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning, SkillsPEI is mandated to improve employment outcomes for individuals. For more information, visit www.skillspei.com.