Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to attend the recent open house reception and information night hosted by the Youth Internship Canada program in school district 17 in Oromocto, New Brunswick. The federal government is providing more than $100,000 for this important initiative.
The youth internship program provides students and employers with opportunities to work together by developing skills and knowledge that can lead to employment. Students participate in on the job and in class training which will be applied directly to specific jobs.
In preparing the students for work readiness, they will be taught basic employability skills along with anger management and social skills training. The program is designed to include special needs students, youth at risk, learning disabled and native students.
I applaud the federal government for funding this innovative program and I congratulate all the students, teachers and businesses involved.