1,628 jobs for youth

NEWS RELEASE - ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

********************************** Summer experience program provides 1,600 jobs for young people

TORONTO — The McGuinty government is providing Ontario’s young people with valuable job experience and helping protect the province’s natural environment and resources by offering jobs to 1,600 youth this year, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay announced today.

"As a former junior ranger myself, I know the ministry’s summer job experience helps groom our young people to be the resource stewards of the future," said Ramsay.

"Programs like these also help us build a strong and prosperous economy by giving our youth valuable on-the-job experience and skills."

In 2004, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) will offer 1,628 jobs with the Summer Experience Program.

This program is for young people aged 15 to 24, or up to age 29 if disabled.

Through this program, young people can explore various jobs to obtain a broad range of skills.

Students can search for jobs at http://youth.mnr.gov.on.ca.

Ramsay also announced plans to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Ontario Ranger Program, the province’s oldest youth employment program (formerly known as Junior Rangers.)

Anniversary celebrations include a special Ontario Ranger Alumni event to be held in Peterborough on August 7 and 8, 2004.

The Ontario Ranger program offers an eight-week summer job that aims to provide 17-year-olds with a unique combination of work, learning and life experiences.

The application deadline for the Ontario Ranger Program is March 26, 2004.

MNR’s Youth Employment Programs are part of the Ontario government’s Youth Opportunities Ontario Strategy, which provides more than 186,000 jobs and services to youth.

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