Langley Environmental Partners Society Receives $257,000

LANGLEY - Young people in Langley will get the chance to develop employment skills while also helping to conserve our environment, thanks to federal and municipal support.  Mr. Mark Warawa, Member of Parliament for Langley, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“Today, more than ever, it is important that youth develop the skills needed to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Warawa.  “By supporting this project, we are not only helping youth in Langley gain the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to successfully enter the labour force, but we are also teaching youth to conserve our environment, ensuring a greener and healthier future for us all.”

The Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) will receive more than $257,000 in federal funding through the Government of Canada’s Skills Link program to deliver the Youth Enhancing Aquatic Habitat (YEAH) project.  This 52-week project will help 20 youth overcome barriers to employment by teaching them the life and employment skills needed to make a smooth transition into the labour force, or a successful return to school.  As part of the project, youth will develop a career plan, participate in a series of healthy living and social life skills workshops, and work in teams on environmental conservation and enhancement projects.

The Township of Langley provided $126,817 to the organization for this year’s YEAH project.  “Employment and the environment are two of the most important issues facing our society today, and young people play a key role in both,” said His Worship Rick Green, Mayor of the Township of Langley.  “This project will not only benefit LEPS and the young people involved, but also the community as a whole.”

Skills Link is one of Canada’s youth employment programs, and is part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to create the best-educated, most-skilled and most flexible work force in the world. “Our Conservative Government is committed to creating a strong work force through Canada’s Economic Action Plan,” says Warawa. “A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development.”

The Skills Link program is delivered by Service Canada, which provides one-stop personalized services for Government of Canada programs, services and benefits.  For more information about this program, visit servicecanada.gc.ca, call 1 800 O-Canada, or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.