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April 23, 1997
(Human Resources and Employment)


The following statement was issued today by Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Human Resources and Employment. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Provincial Student Summer Employment Program

Mr. Speaker:

In celebration of the Cabot 500th Anniversary, I am pleased today, to announce the criteria for the Provincial Student Summer Employment Programs. $4.5 million including $2.5 in provincial funding and $2 million in federal funding will be available through three streams of employment programs. The Student Work and Services Program (SWASP) will make up two of the streams, for post-secondary students, with the third being a High School Student Program. Mr. Speaker the amount of funding we have made available this year is more than we have been able to offer in each of the last three years.

Between 1994 and 1996, the province and Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) participated in SWASP, a cost-shared program designed to deliver a summer student employment program which provided meaningful summer employment. It introduced the concept of a wage subsidy/stipend for students, complemented by a tuition voucher redeemable at any recognized post-secondary institution in the country.

An independent evaluation of SWASP as well as general public approval, indicated that it was an effective program model. Between 1994 and 1996, over 7,300 students participated in this SWASP and since 1994 it has been piloted in other provinces.

The SWASP components of the Summer Employment Programs will include a $1.7 million Paid Employment stream to be delivered through the Department of Human Resources and Employment at the district office level. It will also include a $2.3 million Community Service stream which will be delivered through the Community Services Council. Eligible students include those who will first attend or will be returning to a post-secondary school prior to January 31, 1998. The $0.5 million High School Program is new and targeted at high school students currently in levels, I, II, and III.

Mr. Speaker these programs can create over 3,000 jobs for students this year. Students can promote themselves to employers under the program. However, the application process is employer driven.

The Department of Human Resources and Employment will deliver the SWASP Paid Employment component and the High School Program. Staff will be trained by the end of the week and will be concentrated in six district offices. They include: St. John's (the Water Street office), Harbour Grace, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay. General support will also be available in other district offices. The SWASP Community Service component applications will be available through the Community Services Council (CSC). The Department of Human Resources and Employment is also exploring the potential for a pilot project with Memorial University.

The SWASP Paid Employment component will include a wage subsidy of $2.25 per hour with the employer paying at least $3.00 per hour. The student will also receive a $50 per week tuition voucher. Eligible sponsors include private sector employers and non-profit enterprises. Employer applications are available immediately through Human Resources and Employment district offices and further information is available through a toll-free phone line at 1-800-563-6600. Applications from employers must be received no later than May 16.

The SWASP Community Service component will include a $50 per week stipend for the student plus a tuition voucher of up to $1,400 at the end of the job placement. Eligible sponsors include community agencies and non-profit enterprises. The Community Services Council will be the primary third party contractor and will create over 1,000 student jobs including 400 for social asistance recipients. Social assistance clients will be able to retain their earnings in addition to their social assistance. Applications are available immediately from the CSC and sponsors must submit their applications no later than May 23.

The High School Program component will include a government paid subsidy of $2.25 per hour for private sector employers and $5.25 for non-profit enterprises. Non-profit enterprises will also receive a 10 per cent fee to pay for EI, CPP, and WCC premiums. Private sector employers will pay $3.00 per hour. Eligible sponsors include private sector employers and non-profit enterprises. Applications are available immediately and employers must submit them to Human Resources and Employment no later than June 20.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate our Cabot 500th anniversary, government is providing thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while earning money to further their education.

1997 04 23 2:25 p.m.

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