Summer Jobs Market For
Students is Competitive
(June 5, 2009)
A challenging economy is making it more difficult for young people to find summer jobs, but Employment Ontario is responding by expanding its Summer Jobs Service program throughout the province. Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP, John Yakabuski, officially opened the Summer Jobs office at Algonquin College in Pembroke today by talking about how important it is for youth to have summer employment.
Passport to Prosperity in Renfrew County sponsored the kick off to the Summer Jobs season because of its work with local high schools in support of students making the transition from school to work. P2P coordinator Rhonda Patterson says employers who participate in co-op programs for high school students are creating opportunities for themselves to find summer employees. "By getting to know a student, employers can evaluate their skills during their co-op placement and make decisions on whether they want to hire them during the summer months. It has worked for many employers over the years and that's why we are encouraging more employers to get involved with the provincial Employer Registry, so they can advantage of the many benefits of working with high school students," adds Patterson.
The Employer Registry is a web site that features information on how employers can participate in high school programs that assist students in getting meaningful work experience. This includes providing co-op placements for students, participating in career and job fairs, being a mentor to a student, or speaking to a career class. The web site also provides information for parents and teachers on school to work programs for students.
This summer the Summer Jobs Service program will place more than 450 students in summer jobs in Renfrew County. This includes high school, college and university students between the ages of 15 and 30. The Summer Jobs Service main office is located in Room 215 at Algonquin College's Pembroke Campus, but the program can be accessed at any Job Connect office in Renfrew County. (Pembroke, Renfrew, Arnprior and Barry's Bay) Students can also apply for assistance through the Summer Jobs Service or review job postings at www.algonquincollege.com/jobconnect