Summer job help readily available for local students
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 by: Jordan Allard
Are you a student looking for the solution to your summer job problem?
If so, Employment Solutions is not only offering answers, but some tools to help increase your odds of finding work during the coming months.
Employment Solutions and Sault College put on a pair of programs aimed at helping students find jobs.
The Summer Jobs Service and Summer Jobs for Youth programs run throughout the summer.
The Summer Jobs Service is for students from the ages of 15 to 30 years-old who are returning to school in the fall.
Through the program students are taught how to properly create a resume, participate in a mock interview and then are referred to employers once training is complete.
"When an individual comes into our office the main priority is getting them to meet with a consultant," said Nicole Schwarz, Summer Jobs Service coordinator. "The consultant then identifies their needs and helps start the process towards providing essential help which will help them find a job."
Students aren't the lone beneficiary of the program either, as employers are provided with a $2 per hour subsidy.
The subsidy is provided through Employment Ontario and the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities and the hiring incentive period runs from April 1 to September 30, 2012.
The duration of this incentive may vary in length, but cannot exceed 16 consecutive weeks.
Schwarz said the program doesn't have an application deadline and is operational until August.
Last year, Schwarz said the summer job service helped 377 students find jobs.
As for the other program run by Employment Solutions and Sault College, the Summer Jobs for Youth program is for students from the ages of 15 to 18-years-old with employment barriers.
"The focus of the program is working with students who need help finding work," said Mary Ellen Tomie, manager of student employment at Sault College. "Either because they live in a remote area or don't have work experience, these students need extra assistance and training to help find their first job."
Tomie said the program is funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Services and offers a full wage subsidy for employers.
Anyone with questions about either program can contact Employment Solutions at 705-945-0705, ext. 4246 or by e-mail.
Tomie also encourages students to drop by their office on 421 Bay Street (Station Tower, fourth floor) where they have free access to mcomputers, printing, faxing and photocopying.
Students can also view their job board with postings and participate in classes geared towards helping them wade through the employment process.
For example, on Wednesday evenings they run a resume writing class from 5 to 7 p.m.
A full calendar of classes can be viewed on their website under workshops and events.
While online, Tomie said students can also sign up for job alerts.
