Support for Students Helps Strengthen Communities

Changes Announced to Summer Employment Programs for Students

The Provincial Government today announced improvements to summer student employment programs which streamline the application process and provide an earlier application deadline for employers to hire post-secondary and high school students. This year, both non-profit groups and private employers can apply through one common online application for a wage subsidy under the Student Summer Employment Programs – Post-Secondary and High School.

“Summer employment is often a young person’s first exposure to the labour market and a great opportunity to establish positive, lifelong work habits. Up to 2,000 students will receive valuable work experience through these programs. It is part of our continued commitment to create opportunities for youth, reduce student debt and build a better future for young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
- The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills

Up to an additional 200 summer placements will be created in communities across the province with the ending of the tuition voucher program. In previous years, post-secondary students would receive vouchers at the end of their summer employment to assist with tuition. Students have indicated they prefer wages over vouchers and in some cases vouchers were not redeemed, leaving funding to assist students unused.

The application deadline of April 4, 2014, will result in earlier notification for employers and timely recruiting and hiring of post-secondary and high school students. All positions will be posted on the provincial job site: www.JOBSinNL.ca .

Funding for private sector employers is available to subsidize the hiring of post-secondary students while funding for non-profit employers will help subsidize the hiring of both post-secondary and high school students. The common online application process will still allow non-profit employers to receive the same portion of funding as in previous years.

Information on the student summer employment program, terms and conditions for employers and the online application can be found at: www.aes.gov.nl.ca/students/summer_jobs.html.

More information on the revised student summer employment programs can be found in the backgrounder below.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government has announced improvements to summer employment programs for post-secondary and high school students.
• Non-profit and private employers can apply online for a wage subsidy through Student Summer Employment Programs – Post-Secondary and High School. The online application can be found at: www.aes.gov.nl.ca/students/summer_jobs.html.
• This year’s application deadline is April 4.
• Over the last five years, an average of 1,235 post-secondary students and 650 high school students have been employed annually through summer employment programs.

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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
709-729-0753, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Student Summer Employment Programs

The Provincial Government is offering subsidies under the Student Summer Employment Programs – Post-Secondary and High School. Government has integrated the Student Work and Service Program (SWASP) and the Student Employment Program – Non-Profit Component to create the Student Summer Employment Program – Post-Secondary.

Student Summer Employment Program – Post-Secondary

• The wage subsidy for private sector employers is $5 per hour.
• The wage subsidy for non-profit employers is $10 per hour plus 15 per cent for Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs).
• The duration of the wage subsidy for post-secondary students is 5 to 12 weeks.
• A maximum of 40 hours and a minimum of 25 hours may be subsidized per week.

Student Summer Employment Program – High School

• The wage subsidy for non-profit employers is $10 per hour plus 15 per cent for Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs).
• The duration of the wage subsidy for high school students is 4 to 8 weeks.
• A maximum of 40 hours and a minimum of 20 hours may be subsidized per week.

The delivery of the programs will be administered by Employment Centres across the province. For further details contact the Labour Market and Career Information Hotline at 1-800-563-6600 or go to: www.aes.gov.nl.ca/students/summer_jobs.html.

2014 03 13                                                    4:45 p.m.