August 13, 2008

Lutherwood project helps Waterloo youth gain skills needed for construction jobs

Young people from the Waterloo area struggling with barriers to employment will receive assistance to develop skills needed to find quality jobs in the construction trades.

The federal government and social services agency Lutherwood have partnered to deliver the skill development project.

Lutherwood will help local youth get the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to take advantage of the construction job market, and will help local employers deal with labour shortages.

“As a result of the Compass Homebuilding Partnership Program, stakeholders have the opportunity to work in partnership and collaboration to lay the foundation for a high-quality Canadian work force that remains current and productive in an evolving workplace,” said Cathy Harrington, Director of Employment Development Services at Lutherwood.

Sixteen local young people will become more employable through a combination of hands-on work experience and workshops on topics including goal-setting, job-search techniques, first aid, and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training.

Lutherwood is a non-profit organization that provides a wide range of children’s mental health programs, employment programs, and seniors’ retirement services.

It serves more than 16,000 people every year in the Waterloo region and Wellington County.

The federal government has committed $332,218 to this project through Skills Link, one of Canada’s youth employment programs. The Skills Link program involves employers, community organizations, and other levels of government, all working together to provide young people with the opportunity to develop their skills and become contributing members of their communities.

DCN News Services

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