March 25, 2003

Unemployed inner-city youth and Aboriginal adults will get the opportunity to work towards a brighter future thanks to $483,921 in provincial Neighbourhoods Alive! funding that will train them for health and social services careers, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean Friesen has announced.

"I am pleased that Neighbourhoods Alive! is able to support the Youth Recreation Activity Worker, Family Support Worker and Health Care Aide programs," said Friesen. "They are a good fit with our goal to build healthy neighbourhoods and encourage employment opportunities for residents."

The Youth Recreation Activity Worker training program sponsored by the Winnipeg Boys and Girls Club will receive $161,933 over two years. A total of 18 unemployed inner-city youth qualified for the program’s current session and are receiving Red River College certified training delivered on site at the Boys and Girls Club. Graduates are expected to find jobs with a variety of Winnipeg recreation organizations and agencies.

The Family Support Worker training program, sponsored by the Urban Circle Training Centre with certification by Red River College, will receive $221,988 over two years. The first 24 inner-city Aboriginal adults will receive 47 weeks of training. Graduates will receive two certificates, the Family Support Worker Certificate and the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effects Certificate. All graduates are expected to find employment with social service agencies.

The Health Care Aide training program sponsored by the Urban Circle Training Centre will receive Neighbourhoods Alive! funding of $100,000 for the third session. A further $67,081 contribution will be shared by Manitoba Employment and Training Services ($30,000); Manitoba Community Learning and Youth Programs ($27,081); and Manitoba Health ($10,000).

The Health Care Aide Program was developed with the nursing, continuing education and Aboriginal education department of Red River College. Successful graduates receive nationally recognized accreditation and are qualified for employment in a variety of settings including personal care homes, home care agencies, extended care hospitals and acute care hospitals.

There are 22 inner-city Aboriginal adults undergoing 32 weeks of training for a Health Care Aide certificate. All graduates are expected to find employment within the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority system. The Training Initiatives Program is a component of the Neighbourhoods Alive! strategy designed to encourage more Aboriginal people to seek employment in the health care sector.

"It’s exciting to see a community initiated training program which provides opportunity and hope for Aboriginal young people," Industry, Trade and Mines Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk said, speaking today on behalf of Friesen at an event to celebrate 3,000 job placements for Opportunities for Employment. "The students will be well positioned for a challenging and fulfilling career in the health care field."

Neighbourhoods Alive! is a long-term social and economic strategy that supports community driven revitalization efforts in specific neighbourhoods in Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson. The strategy focuses on housing and physical improvements, employment and training, education and recreation, safety, and crime prevention.

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