/EINPresswire.com/ -- OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 04/18/16 -- Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna announced today a one-year investment of up to $1.9 million for the Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative to attract youth to green jobs within the agriculture and agri-food sector.

The initiative follows through on a Government of Canada commitment made in Budget 2016, in providing employment opportunities for post-secondary graduates to support the agriculture sector in implementing environmentally beneficial activities.

Under the initiative, support is available to fund internships both on the farm, and with organizations engaged in the agriculture and agri-food sector to help attract youth to green jobs.

Quick Facts

--  The Youth Employment Strategy (YES) is a government-wide initiative to
    help young people, particularly those facing barriers to employment, get
    the information and gain the skills, work experience and abilities they
    need to make a successful transition into the labour market.
--  Budget 2016 committed to additional investments in the Youth Employment
    Strategy (2016-17) to create new green jobs for youth, helping young
    Canadians gain valuable work experience, learn about our natural
    environment and contribute to economic growth in environmental sectors.
--  Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is one of 11 federal departments
    committed to providing opportunities for Canada's youth under the Youth
    Employment Strategy.

Quotes

"Creating green jobs for youth in key growth sectors, such as agriculture, allows youth to gain the necessary skills and work experience they need to succeed in today's job market. Hiring youth to implement environmentally beneficial activities on the farm and in the agriculture industry benefits the environment and will also help us grow the economy."

--  Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative is a great example of how the investment in youth, agriculture and the environment can benefit all Canadians. This initiative is just one example of how this government is committed to clean growth, while creating valuable job opportunities for youth which can help promote and support a sustainable environment."

--  Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Associated Links

--  Agricultural Youth Green Jobs initiative (Agriculture and Agri-Food
    Canada)
--  Youth Employment Strategy

Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada

Like us on Facebook: CanadianAgriculture

Contacts:
Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
The Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972 / 1-866-345-7972