"In today's environment, it is more important than ever that youth develop the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market," said David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale. "Our government is proud to support projects that offer post-secondary graduates the opportunity to develop the skills and gain the experience that will help them reach their full potential."

Mohawk will receive $90,000 in Career Focus funding for its Career Connections for Grads project.

As part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, the Career Focus program helps young Canadians-particularly those facing barriers to employment-obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed. The Youth Employment Strategy also includes the Summer Work Experience and Skills Link program.

Career Focus links young post-secondary graduates with potential employers who can provide them with career-related work experience and help them acquire advanced employment skills to facilitate their transition into the rapidly changing labour market.

Through the 2010 "Jobs and Growth Budget," the Government of Canada committed an additional $60 million to the Skills Link and Career Focus programs. Youth employment programs are also part of the Government of Canada's strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world.