100 more summer jobs for youth

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti announces $526,628 for additional summer jobs for youth in Sault Ste. Marie

Provincial investment creates more opportunities for local youth to gain work experience

Sault Ste. Marie – The province is providing an additional $526,628 to Employment Solutions at Sault College in order to help over 100 more youth in Sault Ste. Marie gain valuable work experience with local businesses, non-profit agencies and the police services, David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

"We are investing additional funding in summer job opportunities so that more youth in our community can develop hands on work experience, which will increase their chances of remaining in the community and help them secure a job in our local economy," said Orazietti. “In addition to teaching local youth important job skills, these provincial placement programs build confidence and provide the participants with a stronger sense of community so they can reach their full potential.”

The province is offering these additional jobs through the Youth Opportunities Strategy, which helps at-risk youth gain experience with local businesses, non-profit agencies and police services.

This summer, more funding is being made available to at-risk youth to gain valuable work experience, build their resume and increase their self confidence.

The summer jobs programs, part of Ontario’s Youth Opportunities Strategy, give at-risk youth valuable work experience that will contribute to their future success and build a strong workforce in Sault Ste. Marie.

The programs are delivered by not-for-profit agencies who match youth with local employers and participating police services who recruit youth who are interested in a career in policing.

“Sault College is very pleased to be able to participate in this very worthwhile program. Not only do 105 youth throughout the Algoma District obtain work experience that would not have been possible without the program, but they also receive mentoring and coaching during their placements which allows them to become successful employees,” said Linda Ryan, Director, Employment Solutions, Sault College. “Our participating employers provide great on the job training and they also benefit from the support of having youth mentors work with their employees.”

There is also new funding in the Provincial Budget for literacy and basic skills programs and for the Summer Jobs Strategy.

The province will provide $44 million over three years for literacy and basic skills programs and $22.5 million in 2011 for the Summer Jobs Strategy, which will help more than 100,000 student access jobs and services this summer.

Other provincial initiatives for youth, apprenticeship, literacy and employment support include:

- $3.4 million for 182 local youth intern and co-op placements (NOHFC) - $1.9 million for apprenticeship programs at Sault College - $651,700 John Howard Society - workforce literacy and essential skills program funding - $562,449 in literacy program funding for Sault Ste. Marie in 2010 - $350,000 to open four new family literacy centres in Sault Ste. Marie and area - $199,390 for Sault Youth Association - Approximately 1500 students accessed employment services or found a local job through MTCU’s Summer Jobs program in 2010 - Second Career – in Sault Ste. Marie 253 people have participated in retraining since 2008

Quick facts

More than 4,300 summer jobs are available to young people between 14 and 18 years in 33 communities through this program. These summer jobs programs pay at least the adult minimum wage of $10.25 per hour – the highest minimum wage of all provinces.

Learn more

- Find out more about the Youth Opportunities Strategy

- See the list of communities participating in the Youth Opportunities Strategy

- Read about Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy

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