FedNor invests $350K to help stem youth outmigration

In Sudbury for the first time since he became minister responsible for FedNor, Kenora MP Greg Rickford announced Friday morning more than $350,000 in funding to create 13 jobs for young people.

Speaking at NORCAT, Rickford said the money is from FedNor's Northern Ontario Development Program and will give young graduates crucial “first-job experience.”

He said he was excited to take on the new portfolio, which includes taking a lead role in the federal government's efforts to develop the massive Ring of Fire chromite discovery in northwestern Ontario.

“I have an obvious passion for this region,” Rickford told a gathering of local political and business leaders. “I am up for the task.”

He promised to take a non-partisan approach to issues, saying he believes “in the politics of collaboration.”

Rickford was joined by Greater Sudbury Mayor Marianne Matichuk. In a release issued at the new conference, Matichuk said the funding would help stem the brain drain of young, talented people who often have to leave the city to find work.

“Youth out-migration is a serious issue facing our region,” she said in the release. “Today’s announcement will help build the workforce of the future and position our community for sustainable economic growth and prosperity.”

The money will be used to help several local companies hire recent graduates. For example, NCS Technology Inc. will receive $27,500 to enable the organization to design and implement a new component of its Centrix software product, a management tool that assists technicians with configuring and troubleshooting software installations to provide clients with a better user experience.

Specifically, this investment will enable this private sector business to hire a youth intern to support all phases of the project.

Other companies receiving money include:

Symboticware Incorporated: A FedNor investment of $30,000 will enable Symboticware Incorporated to hire a youth intern as a Systems Engineer. The intern will assist the private-sector firm with product development to support wireless monitoring applications for the mining industry.

NORCAT: To help this not-for-profit technology and innovation centre develop and implement a Customer Relationship Management and Corporate Engagement initiative, NORCAT will receive FedNor funding totalling $27,500 to hire a youth intern for a one-year period. Working as an Information Communication Technology specialist, the successful candidate will develop an online tool to solicit and engage client insight and feedback to evaluate existing services, create online content to promote NORCAT services and client successes, and support a variety of industrial outreach and educational events.

Humaniqa: FedNor funding of $27,500 will enable Humaniqa to hire a youth intern to work as a system developer to maintain and expand the organization’s web portal, a comprehensive business tool specifically designed to help small- to medium-sized enterprises across Canada manage their human resources. The intern will be responsible to optimize the company’s web portal and move it to a new hardware platform, develop a variety of applications for smart phones and tablets, and implement site enhancements to improve the overall client experience.

OvertheAtlantic Interactive Ltd.: To support its continued growth and competitiveness in the modern economy, OvertheAtlantic Interactive Ltd. will receive a FedNor investment of $27,500 to hire a youth intern. The intern will be responsible to complete a variety of activities for this private sector communications and design firm including updating the agency's web and video graphics portfolio, conducting research, networking with existing and potential customers, and providing design support to clients.

Lloyd Research Group Inc.: A FedNor investment of $23,250 will enable Lloyd Research Group Inc. to hire a business analyst intern to test and implement new accounting and customer service software packages. Specifically, the intern will be tasked with troubleshooting the new software applications, creating employee manuals, co-ordinating all staff training workshops, and providing on-site support to employees during the implementation phase of the project.