The Federal Government is enabling a number of organizations to provide employment to Peace Region youth this summer. Many of the community based and not for profit organizations would not have an opportunity to hire students without an extra boost in funding. Peace River MP Chris Warkentin says it’s a win-win for the community and for young people in the region.
“The program was set up to help assist young people get job training and work experience, as well as to support community based organizations that really do benefit our communities that maybe wouldn’t be able to afford to bring on staff through the summer, but with this support they’re able to.”
Warkentin says the $318,400 in Canada Summer Jobs funding will hopefully create around 80 jobs in Peace Country communities. He says Canada Summer Jobs program is meant for the employment of a certain demographic.
“It is required that these students are returning to school in the fall, so either high school students or else college or university students. It is a requirement of the funding that the student will be returning to studies in the fall.”
Warkentin says the funding doesn’t cover the entire cost of employing these students, but acts as a supplement so organizations can hire temporary staff without having a huge impact on their bottom line.