April 29, 2013
Budget 2013: Investing in Young Manitobans Through Mentorship Opportunities
– – –13,000 Students Now Getting Experience They Need To Succeed: Premier
The Manitoba government is creating opportunities for thousands of young Manitobans to gain experience and skills that will help prepare them for careers in a variety of professions, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“There was a time when young Manitobans were leaving our province in large numbers for opportunities elsewhere,” said Selinger. “Today is a different story. By working together with our schools, colleges and universities, in partnership with business and labour leaders, we are creating mentorship opportunities that are helping students realize a world of exciting career options, right here at home.”
Through Budget 2013, the Manitoba government is investing over $8 million in mentorship programs that will reach over 13,000 young Manitobans this year, the premier said. Mentorship programs supported by the provincial government offer a wide range of supports during school and after-school hours including career counselling, hands-on workplace experience and help planning for
post-secondary education, he added.
The premier and Children and Youth Opportunities Minister Kevin Chief made the announcement at the Pan Am Clinic, where the third class of students in the Medical Career Exploration Program will graduate this year.
“The goal of the Medical Career Exploration Program that we run here at the Pan Am Clinic – with placements at the Health Sciences Centre and Grace Hospital – is to promote meaningful student exposure to a variety of medical disciplines through mentorship,” said Dr. Wayne Hildahl, chief operating officer of the Pan Am Clinic. “The Winnipeg Health Region recognizes that it is imperative to engage these youth and provide them with medical role models so that they can take these positive experiences back into their schools and communities.”
“So many talented young Manitobans just need the right opportunity to put them on the path toward landing their dream job and realizing their full potential,” said Chief. “These mentorship programs connect students with leaders in our communities. The result benefits all Manitobans by building healthier, more prosperous and safer communities.”
Provincial funding in Budget 2013 supports over 20 mentorship initiatives. Highlights this year include:
-
$4.3 million being invested into the Bright Futures Fund to support community-based organizations and partner schools to mentor junior high and high school students and allow them to explore their interests through education, recreation, arts, workplace experience and
post-secondary education exploration. This includes the Medical Careers Exploration program, Wayfinders, Peaceful Village and Pathways to Education program. - $3 million in provincial programs such as After School Leaders, Boys and Girls Clubs, and After School Arts Enrichment. These programs engage youth in hands-on experiences in supervised, structured environments that help them explore their interests and develop skills in the arts, sports and sciences.
- $715,000 to organizations around the province including additional funding to Big Brothers Big Sisters to expand in-school mentoring programs in rural communities.
- $68,000 increase to Ka Ni Kanichihk to serve vulnerable children.
- 30 -