Lincoln, ON – (July 18, 2023) – The Town of Lincoln is honoured to receive its third grant in three years through the Province of Ontario’s Skills Development Fund to support its Youth Skills Studio. This year’s funding of $2.9 million will prepare 250 youth in Lincoln and Niagara for careers in technology and tourism and hospitality and connect trained youth with 75 small and medium-sized businesses hiring across sectors including high-tech, manufacturing, hospitality, and tourism.
“On behalf of Lincoln Council and the Lincoln community, we are grateful to the Province of Ontario for this continued funding to support our Youth Skills Studio,” said Town of Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton. “This funding has been instrumental in providing youth with opportunities to grow their skills and sow the seeds of their careers here in Lincoln and Niagara, while also helping local businesses grow and succeed. These outcomes will ultimately lead to a healthy local economy and a vibrant, prosperous community.”
The funding will be dedicated towards extending the current programming offered through the Youth Skills Studio and will help address youth employment challenges, support local businesses adaptation of online technologies, and provide hard and soft skills training to support Lincoln’s tourism and hospitality sector.
“We have heard from our business community that they are challenged by the current labour shortage. Through key investments, we are working together to address this issue and further support both youth and the local economy,” said the Town’s Ward 2 Councillor and Chair of Planning and Economic Development Committee, J.D. Pachereva. “I’m thrilled aboutt the partnerships we’ve nurtured with upper levels of government and local partners to ensure Lincoln is a thriving and prosperous community for residents and businesses alike.”
The Youth Skills Studio will train participants in digital marketing, web development, digital systems administration, cloud computing, and IT. Participants will be able to work on tangible projects and business cases submitted by employers in the community. They will be paid $18/hour for the duration of the training and work and be reimbursed for transportation costs. In-person and virtual training and workshops will take place in the Town of Lincoln’s Beam Street facility, a collaborative space home to Civiconnect, our partner in the Youth Skills Studio. Participating businesses will be from across Niagara.
The Town’s Chief Administrative Officer added that “the Town continues to work diligently behind the scenes to secure funding for programs such as the Youth Skills Studio that respond to several community needs. The Lincoln community will reap the benefits of investments in youth skills development and business retention for many years.”
“Through this funding and the continued operation of the Youth Skills Studio, we are achieving the goals set out in Lincoln’s Economic Development Strategy of Business retention and expansion and Talent and workforce development,” noted the Town’s Director of Economic Development and Communications, Paul Di Ianni. “Key sectors across Lincoln will benefit from targeted investment to support business growth and continuity.”
In addition to retaining and attracting young talent in Lincoln and supporting Lincoln and Niagara businesses, the Youth Skills Studio supports Lincoln’s Economic Development Strategy by promoting business retention and expansion, talent and workforce development, innovation, and leadership.
Important Links:
- 30 -
For Media Inquiries:
Liliana Busnello
Manager of Corporate Communications
Town of Lincoln
905-563-2799 ext. 230
