For Immediate Release                                                            

May 18 , 2006

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT ON THE SIDE OF ONTARIANS SEEKING GREATER TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Program to Enhance Apprenticeship and Higher Skills Training in Kingston

KINGSTON – The McGuinty government is helping over 2335 people in the Kingston area upgrade their skills, become apprentices, and find jobs through its Job Connect programs at Kingston Employment & Youth Services Inc. and St. Lawrence College, MPP John Gerretsen announced today on behalf of Chris Bentley Minister of Training Colleges and Universities.

“With today’s investment St. Lawrence College and KEYS will be able to deliver career workshops and provide more one-on-one employment services to youth in our community,” said Gerretsen. “Helping to provide youth with the skills and experience they will need to find meaningful employment is a key priority for our government,”

This year Job Connect will provide expanded services in Kingston. These services will reduce barriers that inhibit people from getting the services and training they need to succeed in Ontario’s labour market.

In 2006-07, the government is investing $2 million in Job Connect services in Kingston, for the expansion of employment and training services. These new investments will focus on improving the integration of new Canadians into the workforce, and expanding services to link prospective apprentices with employers.

The Job Connect program helps people plan, prepare for and succeed in the job market. Colleges and community-based non-profit agencies, such as youth employment centres and adult help centres, deliver the program through 129 sites in 80 communities across the province.

The provincial government has invested over $127 million in Job Connect. This includes investing $10 million in 2006-07 for the expansion of employment and training services.

Job Connect is just one of the initiatives the McGuinty government provides to help Ontarians achieve their potential. Other initiatives include:

• Helping more than 56,000 young people find jobs or start their own businesses through Ontario Summer Jobs.

• Increasing the number of new apprentices by 7,000 to a total of 26,000 annually in 2007-08.

• Introducing the Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit to make it easier for employers to hire and train new apprentices.

 “We are on the side of Ontario families and new Canadians who wish to build a positive future for themselves,” said Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. “Job Connect offers a range of services to respond to employment needs, career goals of individuals, and skilled labour needs of employers.”

For more information about Job Connect, call the toll-free JobGrow Hotline at 1-888-JobGrow (562-4769) or (416) 326-5656 in Toronto, for the name of the organization delivering Job Connect in your area.

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For more information contact:
John Gerretsen, MPP
(613) 547-2385