Young Canada Works Heritage Chantal Fortier October 29

Young Canada Works Heritage Chantal Fortier October 29, 2003

Heritage in Canada Ø A rich and diverse cultural and natural heritage Ø Government of Canada’s role Ø Institutions Ø People

Rich and Diverse Heritage ØTraditions and artifacts of the First Peoples, the French, the English and immigrants to Canada from around the world Ø From the arts to ethnology, from science to technology, from history to architecture, from oral history to archives; traces of peoples for tens of thousands of years Ø An extraordinary national parks system; natural history museums, some of them with living collections that reflect Canada’s biodiversity

Government of Canada and Heritage Ø Canadian Heritage helps preserve and protect cultural and natural heritage for current and future generations of Canadians. ü Legislation ü Policies ü Funding programs, services ü National institutions

Heritage Institutions Ø Museums, archives, libraries, zoos, botanical gardens, natural parks, historic sites and buildings Ø A little over 2, 500 heritage institutions in Canada

People and Heritage Ø Professionals – over 30, 000 Ø Volunteers – about 45, 000 Ø Visitors – over 100 million visits per year

Young Canada Works and Heritage Ø Program in place since 1996 Ø Decentralized management ü Headquarters ü Six national delivery organizations that operate as third parties for program delivery

YCW Intra-departmental Partners Ø Heritage Branch Ø Canadian Heritage Information Network Ø Canadian Conservation Institute Ø Arts Policy Branch

YCW External Partners Ø National organizations ü Canadian Museums Association ü Canadian Library Association ü Canadian Council of Archives ü Heritage Canada Foundation ü Association pour l’avancement des sciences et techniques de documentation ü Cultural Human Resources Council

YCW Heritage Two Components Ø Component 1 … in Heritage Organizations ü Summer jobs Ø Component 2 … at Building Careers in Heritage ü Extended work experience

Component 1 In Heritage Organizations Ø An average of 900 summer jobs between 6 and 16 weeks in length for young people between the ages of 16 and 30 at the secondary or postsecondary level Ø Amount allocated: $3, 000/year Ø Delivery model: national, regional, local and through delivery organizations

Benefits… For Young People Ø Develops employability and career skills Ø Provides an opportunity to earn income toward studies Ø Provides summer jobs that utilize their skills to protect and develop knowledge in the heritage, arts and cultural sector

Component 2 At Building Careers in Heritage Ø 60 internships between 4 and 12 months in length for young college and university graduates Ø Amount allocated: $705, 000 Ø Delivery model: International, regional and local, directly with employers or through national delivery organizations

Benefits… For Young People Ø Provides relevant work experience in the field of heritage, arts and culture Ø Develops specialized job skills Ø Provides an opportunity to discover and promote Canada’s cultural heritage at home and abroad

Jobs Created

Employers

Internships

Program Mechanics

Feedback from Young People… Ø My experience this summer working at the Saskatchewan Archives Board … was a positive one. This is the first time since my university career began that I have had a summer job that is related to my field of study, Canadian History. . . this enabled me to actually get firsthand knowledge of archival procedures. Ø Grâce au programme Jeunesse Canada au travail, je réalisais la vocation tant espérée depuis ma tendre enfance : être guide et animateur, costumé à l’ancienne, dans un lieu historique et patrimonial ayant marqué l’histoire du Canada. Ce fut pour moi la chance de partager des connaissances multiples avec des personnes de tous genres et de partout, ce qui s’avère une passion.

Feedback from Employers… Ø “The project could not have happened without the support of Young Canada Works. Not only did we receive financial help, but we gained a wonderful employee. Our project received great feedback from everyone who attended; but I felt our goal to bring the past to life was truly done when a social studies teacher thanked us for the wonderful history lesson. ” Ø « L’enthousiasme, dont faisait preuve Kathleen, dans l’apprentissage d’une nouvelle tâche devenait. . . une source de motivation pour certaines de ses collègues qui partageaient avec elle leurs connaissances et leurs expériences. Elle était comme une bouffée d’air frais. »

In Conclusion… Ø Canada’s heritage is one of our most valued treasures. It teaches us who we are, where we come from and what influences have shaped how the Canadian nation has developed. It serves as a bridge between generations. Ø Young Canada Works/Heritage provides young Canadians with a unique opportunity to gain significant work experience and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of heritage.

Young Canada Works Heritage Chantal Fortier chantal_fortier@pch. gc. ca