March, 2005 - Nr. 3
Program Strengthens The Skills And Experience Of Ontario’s Youth
TORONTO, March 3 /CNW/ - The provincial government is helping more than 57,000 young people find jobs or start their own business through the Ontario Summer Jobs Program, Mary Anne Chambers, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, announced today.
"Helping our youth acquire the skills and experience they will need for the future is a priority for our government," said Chambers. "This program helps young people get some insight into the working world, and provides them with valuable experience that will help them as they consider future career options."
The government is investing almost $52 million in the Ontario Summer Jobs Program this year to help young people ages 15 to 24, or up to 29 for persons with disabilities, find work. The program runs from April to September and offers a range of services, including a $2 per hour wage top-up for businesses and community organizations to hire students for up to 16 weeks. The program also provides students with up to $3,000 to help them start up and run their own summer business. Jobs are also available in provincial government ministries and agencies.
Today’s announcement took place at St. Stephen’s Community House, one of the organizations that deliver the Ontario Summer Jobs Program through more than 100 sites in 80 communities across the province.
"Through our Employment and Training Centre, we host job fairs and provide employment workshops and job placement services to high school, college and university students in downtown Toronto," said Liane Regendanz, Executive Director of St. Stephen’s Community House. "Every year we place hundreds of students in summer jobs that provide them with some practical experience."
"The Ontario Summer Jobs Program is one more example of the government of Ontario striving for excellence in everything that we do," said Joseph Cordiano, Minister of Economic Development and Trade. "Not only does this program give young Ontarians the tools they need to build exciting futures, but it also provides all of us with good reason to be optimistic about the future of our economy and workforce."
"Our government believes that our youth represent the future of our province," added Chambers. "By supporting summer employment, we are helping students pursue opportunities that could contribute to their future success."
Information about the program and how to apply is available on the ministry’s website at
www.edu.gov.on.ca, or the Ontario government’s youthjobs.gov.on.ca site, and by calling the JobGrow Hotline at 1-888-JobGrow or (416) 326-5656 in Toronto.
