Hibernia funds the expansion of Choices for Youth's Train for Trades program
- HMDC contributes $2.1 million to youth training program
- Doubles the number of participants and creates six new affordable housing units
- Continues project that retrofits homes to increase energy efficiency
St. John’s, NL, February, 2013 –The Train for Trades program, run by Choices for Youth, will double in capacity thanks to a $2.1 million contribution from Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. (HMDC). The Train for Trades program provides at‐risk youth with trade and safety skills training and the opportunity to gain work experience by retrofitting basements to make housing more energy efficient in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The contribution will enable an additional 30 young people to attend the program over three years. The funding will also help with the building of six additional affordable housing units for use by young people. The funding increases the longer‐term sustainability of the program.
“The demand for skilled tradespeople is increasing, in large part because of the growth of the oil and gas industry,” said Jamie Long, president of HMDC. “Supporting this innovative training program will benefit our industry and allow these young workers to create better futures for themselves.”
“Our Train for Trades program addresses three key elements: providing viable, sustainable employment opportunities to youth by reducing barriers and providing support; making low‐income family homes more energy efficient; and, providing energetic, skilled workers to a growing industry,” said Sheldon Pollett, Executive Director of Choices. “The new funding is critical for the organization to turn the existing program into a social enterprise that will help provide sustainable employment opportunities for youth for years to come.”
“I am proud to be in this program because it has taught me to work with a team, which is important because by working in a team you can achieve so much more,” said Sylvia Newhook, a Train for Trades participant. “This program gives me a place to work and it also helps me with my future by giving me a second chance to complete my schooling. I wouldn’t be able to complete my General Educational Development if I was working full time.”
To learn more about the Train for Trades program go to www.choicesforyouth.ca
About Choices for Youth
Choices for Youth works with approximately 600 youths each year in the St. John’s metro area, providing housing, training, skills development and other support. The innovative Train for Trades program helps youth transition out of poverty and homelessness to viable, sustainable, long‐term employment while also helping to reduce the shortage of skilled trades workers in the province.
About Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd.
Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. (HMDC) is the operator of the Hibernia field which began petroleum production offshore Newfoundland and Labrador in November 1997. HMDC is owned by ExxonMobil Canada (33.125%), Chevron Canada Resources (26.875%), Suncor Energy (20%), Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation (8.5%), Murphy Oil (6.5%) and Statoil Canada Ltd. (5%).