Textiles Human Resources Council - For Immediate Release

Ottawa - September 15, 2003 -- The Textiles Human Resources Council is pleased to announce the re-introduction of the highly popular Textile Opportunities Program (TOP). With the support of Human Resources Development Canada, the program provides wage subsidies of up to $13,000 to Canadian textile companies that hire young college or university graduates for a period of at least six months. Aside from the higher level of subsidy, the new program covers young graduates from any college, cégep or university (including, of course the textile program at the cégep in Saint-Hyacinthe), and the hiring window has been extended through to March 2005.

The objectives of the Textiles Opportunities Program are to enable Canadian textile firms to add newly graduated and competent employees to their workforce and to provide meaningful employment opportunities and valuable work experience for young graduates.

The TOP program is in effect right now and textile company CEO's, HR directors or plant managers are invited to contact the Textiles Human Resources Council to take full advantage of the benefits of the program.

For further information, please contact:

Jean-Guy Tittley
TOP Project coordinator
Textiles Human Resources Council
613.230.7217, ext. 314