Minister Rondeau; Bob Silver (co-chair of the Premier’s Economic Advisory Committee); Pieter Prinsloo, (Youth Advisory Council); Principal Gord Crook; Minister Marcelino; Dave Angus (Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce); Minister Swan; and a number of high school students join Premier Selinger at Tec Voc High School for the announcement of innovative new youth programs.


November 23, 2010

MANITOBA YOUTH CORPS TO PROVIDE MENTORSHIP, JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE THAN 2,800 YOUNG MANITOBANS

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Province's Unprecedented Focus on Youth Opportunities Will Benefit All Manitobans: Selinger

A new provincial initiative known as the Manitoba Youth Corps will connect 2,500 high-school students to mentorship and job opportunities and create an additional 345 new job spots over the next three years, Premier Greg Selinger announced today at Tec Voc High School.

 

“The transition between education and a rewarding career can be difficult for many young people,” said Selinger.  “The right mentor and the right job or educational opportunity at the right time can make all the difference in preparing youth for success in life.”

 

The Manitoba Youth Corp will consist of a two new initiatives:  Manitoba Mentors, a youth mentorship program, and Manitoba Youth Employment, a new program to match potential youth employees and employers.  The concept of the Manitoba Youth Corp is a key recommendation of the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council, formed in 2001 to bring together business, labour, Aboriginal and community leaders to assist government in developing economic strategies.

 

“This program is all about giving young people a better understanding of the world and careers available to them after school,” said Bob Silver, co-chair of the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council.  “We hope that once our young people know more about the exciting opportunities available to them and the fulfilling careers they can have in our province, they will be encouraged to stay in Manitoba and find their future here in our great province.”

 

Manitoba Mentors will match students in grades 9 to 12 with employers from business, non-profit organizations and labour to help them make the transition from school to work.  Mentorship opportunities will include one-on-one mentoring, group mentoring, job shadowing, work experience and leadership training.

 

The $6.7-million program will launch in September 2011 and is intended to complement and enhance existing mentoring programs, like the Urban/Hometown Green Team, to ensure high-school students and employers have the chance to participate, the premier said.  

 

Manitoba Mentors will be universal in nature and will support youth retention efforts by ensuring young people are aware of the unlimited career opportunities Manitoba has to offer, said Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors Minister Jim Rondeau.      

  

“The future success of Manitoba depends on how well we are able to provide opportunities and hope to all young Manitobans, regardless of the barriers they face,” said Rondeau.  “Education, training and employment are the great equalizer and it is our responsibility to ensure every single young person in this province can access the tools they need to succeed.”

 

Manitoba Youth Employment will help students cultivate workplace skills by providing jobs and valuable work experience, Selinger said.  The initiative will enhance existing programs such as Urban/Hometown Green Team, Partners with Youth and Youth Build and also introduce a new intensive support program for high-risk youth facing multiple personal barriers to gaining life skills, training and employment.  

 

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