A program designed to get vulnerable young people working or back to school got $2.7 million from the federal government last week.
The funding announcement for the SUCCESS Chance to Choose: A Youth Employment Program was made in Port Coquitlam by Patty Hajdu, Canada's minister of employment, workforce development and labour.
The cash means 352 young people — between the ages of 15 and 30 — will be able to tap into job-readiness skills and gain work experience, over the next three years.
Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam Liberal MP Ron McKinnon, who was at last Friday's news conference at Leigh Square Community Arts Village with NDP MLA Mike Farnworth, said a Chance to Choose helps many constituents get into the workforce.
"This is a smart investment in our local economy," McKinnon said in a news release. "I've worked with SUCCESS on a number of issues and I'm looking forward to collaborating on Chance to Choose."
One of the biggest social services agencies in B.C., SUCCESS has its Tri-City service centres in Henderson Place mall and on North Road, in Burquitlam. Its Youth Employment Connect site is at 2138-1163 Pinetree Way.
Meanwhile, the next intake for Chance to Choose is July 24 to Oct. 27 in Port Coquitlam.
Information sessions about the four-week course — and 10 weeks of work experience — will be held July 18 and 20 at 9:30 a.m. Call 604-474-3140 or email morgan.campbell@success.bc.ca to register.
jcleugh@tricitynews.com
