Help For People With Disabilities To Gain Job Skills
May 21, 2015Cornwall Ontario – People with disabilities will have help to gain the skills and experience they need to find jobs, thanks to new funding from the Government of Canada.
The Eastern Ontario Training Board (EOTB) is receiving over $366,000 from the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities for its project to help 32 people with disabilities in the City of Cornwall, United Counties of SD&G, and Akwesasne to overcome barriers to employment.
“Canadians with disabilities deserve every opportunity to participate in the job market, and that’s why partnerships with organizations like the Eastern Ontario Training Board are so important,`said Guy Lauzon. MP Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. “Through this project, people with disabilities in our area will gain the skills and experience they need to succeed in the workforce.”
Through the “Jobs Now” project, the Eastern Ontario Training Board will assist project participants to develop the skills and experience they need to successfully enter the job market or return to school. They will learn or improve employment skills such as customer service and computer skills, and gain work experience with local employers in areas such as sales and service.
““We are grateful to have the opportunity to provide employment skills and make connections in the community for people with disabilities,” said Denis Thibault, Executive Director of the Eastern Ontario Training Board. “We know that everyone has contributions they can make in the Canadian workforce, and this program will make sure that we can make it happen for dozens of local residents.”
Furthermore, the program will provide a wage subsidy to employers who create or fill a position with a program participant, and plan to keep the participant employed after the program concluded. This will allow for training, transition, and long-term job opportunities for dozens of local residents with disabilities that may not find employment otherwise.
Since 2006, the Opportunities Fund has helped 40,000 people with disabilities across Canada. This is part of the Government of Canada’s overall strategy to equip all Canadians with the skills and training they need to connect with available jobs.
About the Eastern Ontario Training Board
The Eastern Ontario Training Board (EOTB) was established to play a leading role in labour force development in Cornwall and the counties of Prescott, Russell, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Its mandate includes identifying priorities for training; making recommendations on programs and services to ensure they are accessible, effective and responsive to local needs; and working with Community Partners to resolve labour market and socio-economic development issues. More information can be found on its web.