A unique group of summer students have beat youth unemployment statistics while making a positive impact in their communities.

Last week, they participated in a Labatt People in Action Roundtable discussion with Bruce Elliot, president, Labatt Breweries of Canada, and Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada.

Labatt People in Action (LPIA) is sponsored by Labatt Breweries of Canada and has received funding from Human Resources Development Canada. LPIA is a national program in its 25th year.

It helps secondary and post-secondary students acquire career-related work experience by funding original job proposals that partner student innovation with a local charity.

In 2001, the youth unemployment rate was 12.8%. One of the focuses for the Roundtable discussion was to identify ways to beat youth joblessness and generate awareness regarding opportunities for meaningful work experience.

The Roundtable was held at John Labatt Hall and featured LPIA students from London, Ottawa and Toronto.

"The Labatt People in Action program is proof positive that students are eager to shape their career destiny while making a difference in their communities," Elliot said.

"The Government of Canada's Summer Career Placements program provides young people with an opportunity to make a solid investment in their future," Stewart said.

LPIA student Marcy Charles, whose job proposal was entitled the Snoezelen Therapy Project, assisted the Belmont House in Toronto, an elder care home for patients with late stage Alzheimer's.

"Through the Labatt People in Action program, I get to cheer residents when they are sad, console them when they are scared and calm them when they are agitated. Even more, I can help them to have fun. I can't imagine a more rewarding job," Charles said. "The LPIA program has given me the opportunity to further my knowledge and experience in my field of study and has increased the Belmont community's understanding and awareness of relaxation therapies and its benefits."

Since 1977, LPIA has invested millions of dollars and worked with more 3,800 students from coast to coast. In 2002, the program assisted 109 students find summer employment with 75 charities across the country.

For more information about LPIA, visit www.lpia-jobs.com or call 1-800-334-2627.

-- Canada Newswire


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