REGINA, March 5, 2014 /CNW/ - The Regina Work Preparation Centre has received a grant of $20,000 from The Co-operators. The funding, announced today, will support a new training program that targets the hospitality sector. This program will provide 20 participants with various certificates suitable to the industry, as well as group-based employment skills, and facilitated connections to employers.

The Regina Work Preparation Centre is a charitable agency that specializes in helping people who face significant barriers to employment. The centre's mission is to strengthen and increase the individual's capacity to participate in the community, with a focus on building employment and vocational skills. Every year they help hundreds of Regina residents overcome their employment challenges and find meaningful, sustainable jobs.

"The Regina Work Preparation Centre is honoured to be chosen by The Co-operators Foundation Community Economic Development Funds for funding.  Work Prep has been a fixture in Regina's career and employment services sector for over 40 years," said Chris Bailey, Executive Director of The Regina Work Preparation Centre. "We are always looking for innovative ways to support people in their quest for employment and to meet the labour market needs of the Saskatchewan economy.  The Co-operators funding will allow us to develop our expertise providing industry specific training, thereby increasing the competitiveness of our clients."

The grant was provided through the Community Economic Development (CED) Funds, which were established in 1995 to commemorate The Co-operators 50^th anniversary. The CED Funds are part of The Co-operators Foundation ,which supports community-based organizations and other worthy causes throughout Canada. Through these Funds, The Co-operators has granted $4.3 million to 105 organizations. For more information on the Funds and their recipients, please visit: www.cooperators.ca/en/About-Us/Foundation/CED.

About The Co-operators:

The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian-owned co-operative with more than $34 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt; Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada; and the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean's magazine. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.

SOURCE The Co-operators