PRESS RELEASES

March 19, 2004

Government of Canada funds project to create job opportunities in Kingston

KINGSTON, ONTARIO—The Honourable Peter Milliken, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, welcomed the announcement from the Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, of up to $79,620 in funding, through the Job Creation Partnerships program, to support a job creation project by the Fort Henry Historical Group and Heritage Partnership.

Under this project, the Fort Henry Historical Group and Heritage Partnership will provide individuals with the opportunity to gain valuable skills and work experience. Over a twelve-month period, the participants will work with a Web site consultant as either a database coordinator or database assistant. The consultant will assist the participants with maintenance of the Web site, managing Web content and administration of the registry database. This database is a registry of individuals who are interested in and support cultural history. Developing this Web site with a registry database will mean extensive outreach to these individuals as well as initiating and cultivating new contacts. Once the registry becomes operational, other components of the Web site will be developed. These include discussion lists and newsletters, a heritage exchange and store, and on-line workshops and seminars, each designed to respond to the needs of registry members and interested public visitors to the Web site. Participants will also coordinate the on-line registration of people who want to become members of the ‘built heritage’ community, and provide information on events and activities in the Kingston area.

“Not only will the participants enhance their skills and become more employable, but the community will also benefit from this project by being provided with increased access to information on built heritage and better understanding about past, present and future heritage,” said Mr. Milliken. “I am pleased that the Government of Canada is supporting a project that will help meet the employment needs of local residents and benefit the community as a whole.”


Job Creation Partnerships support the creation of incremental and meaningful work opportunities for clients in activities that help develop the community and the local economy. Human Resource Centres of Canada or partner agencies work with employers and community organizations to identify employment opportunities that can provide Employment Insurance recipients with valuable job experience.

Funding for Job Creation Partnerships is provided through the Employment Insurance Act. EI claimants receive their regular income benefits and/or income support under EI part II – Employment Benefits, which may be increased by the employer to a local prevailing occupational wage rate. Also eligible are other insured participants, such as clients who have received employment benefits within the last three years, or maternity or parental benefits that started in the past five years.

Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget.

This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department’s administration of its grant and contribution programs and is subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.



PROJECT SUMMARY
- Government of Canada funding: up to $79,620 through the Job Creation Partnerships Employment Benefit
- Objective: give unemployed individuals opportunities to enhance their existing skills set and their employability


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For more information:

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
(819) 994-5559