Another successful summer for youth and student employment

Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment is pleased to note government�s commitment over the summer of $1,677,000 in support of the Student Work and Service Program (SWASP) and $563,000 for the Level I, II and III Student Employment Program.

A key focus of the department is the provision of supports for youth who face multiple barriers when looking for work and accessing post-secondary education.

"Through the Student Work and Service Program, government has approved 1,304 placements this year to help young people gain valuable paid work experience and at the same time earn a tuition voucher to help further their studies," said Minister Shelley. "In this year�s budget we provided an additional $177,000 over existing funding levels to increase the wage subsidy for eligible employers who hire through the program."

SWASP participants must plan to attend post-secondary studies in the coming academic year. In addition to their wages, participants earn a $50 per week tuition voucher for each week of their employment.

The Level I, II and III Student Employment Program provides summer work opportunities for high school students. This summer 634 students were employed on local projects throughout the province. High school students are hired by not-for-profit organizations, community-based agencies and municipalities and generally work on summer recreation, heritage and community improvement projects.

Including SWASP, the Level I, II and III Student Employment Program and other youth services, government provides approximately $6.5 million throughout the year to support a broad range of youth employment, work experience programs and related services.

"This summer, over 1,900 of our young people took the opportunity to gain some valuable work experience, save for their education and make a meaningful difference in their communities," said Minister Shelley. "Through these investments and other youth activities, the department annually helps over 4,600 young people and students."

Media contact: Ed Moriarity, Communications, (709) 729-4062, 728-9623

2006 08 29       2:15 p.m.