Local MP Guy Lauzon and other youth employment advocates announced Friday much-needed funding will be freed up to help area young people find work.
A little more than $93,000 will be spent on a youth employment program in Cornwall that will help offset salaries paid to young people to help them get to work and gain valuable experience that can be used to help secure long-term employment.
Lauzon said he often hears from young people who say they find it difficult to get a job because they lack experience.
"Of course, they can't get experience without getting the job," he said.
YOUCAN, a youth-employment advocacy group, has received $93,000 in federal money that will be used to pay salaries of young people as they gain work through local employers.
"Our government's top priorities are job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity," said Lauzon. "Our best resource is our youth. The youth are the people who will fill the jobs of tomorrow."
The participants in YOUCAN's project will attend workshops that focus on topics such as goal-setting, conflict resoltuion and effective communication to help them prepare to enter the workforce.
"YOUCAN is grateful for the funding," said Dave Farthing, YOUCAN CEO. "Our organization is pleased to partner with the Government of Canada to address the need of youth with barriers to employment and help them get the skills they need to succeed."
Friday's announcement was made at the Boys and Girls Club in Cornwall.
