First Work Bulletin: First Work Partners with Service Canada to Secure $12 Million Additional Funding for Youth Employment

First Work Partners with Service Canada to Secure

$12 Million Additional Funding for Youth Employment

May 31, 2010

First Work regularly meets with Senior Service Canada officials in Ontario to assess and discuss improvements to Skills Link funding and administration. At the most recent meeting, May 12, Service Canada sought First Work's help in mobilizing project sponsors across Ontario to take advantage of $12 million in additional funds for these programs announced in Budget 2010.

First Work encourages our members to apply for the funding as a means of bolstering youth employment in the Province while the labour market continues to experience a shaky recovery and while uncertainty and transition challenges remain regarding Employment Ontario's funding levels and support for youth employment.

In an effort to distribute these funds in an efficient and equitable manner, Service Canada, Ontario Region, will be accepting proposals from organizations interested in applying for this specific funding. In addition to complying with the Terms and Conditions of the Skills Link and Career Focus programs, all proposals must also adhere to the following criteria:

All proposals must be received by Service Canada no later than June 30, 2010. (applications received after June 30, 2010 may be assessed at a later date based on the availability of funding).

All project activities must end no later than March 31, 2011.

Projects must expend all funds by March 31, 2011 (e.g. all leases must end by March 31, 2011).

The funding period is finite. Subsequent proposals will not be considered.

Funding proposals are due by June 30, 2010. Please see the following link for the forms and for the contact information:

http://www.firstwork.org/bulletin/2010-05-31/

This is an example of First Work influencing government decision-making for the benefit of marginalized youth and our member centres.