Minister reports on employment initiatives and opportunities for province’s youth

Human Resources, Labour and Employment Minister Joan Burke, said her department is moving forward with several programs to assist young people in obtaining meaningful employment opportunities during the summer months and in the year ahead.

Approximately 1,200 student employment positions will be created throughout the province this summer under the Student Work and Service Program (SWASP). "This program has proven to be extremely valuable for students," said Minister Burke. "Providing this kind of assistance to our young people remains a priority of my department and this government."

The Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment provides $1.5 million for SWASP. In addition to the creation of student employment positions, eligible employers receive a wage subsidy for payment to students and students receive a $50 per week tuition voucher towards the cost of post-secondary education.

Minister Burke is also pleased to report that the Tutoring Work Experience Program is now available for high school students who may require extra help in preparing for final examinations. This program receives $250,000 in funding to help students access tutoring from post-secondary students returning to their home communities for the summer break. "This is a wonderful opportunity for post-secondary students to earn some pocket money and a tuition voucher towards the cost of post-secondary education while, at the same time, high school students are able to become better prepared for their final exams," said Minister Burke.

In addition, the Graduate Employment Program has been funded once again this year. With funding of $1.2 million from the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, eligible employers can receive up to $10,000 in wage subsidies when a recent graduate is hired for a 52-week period. "The Graduate Employment Program is particularly exciting as it provides recent graduates with that all important first year of work experience," said Minister Burke. "It’s also been shown that many employers find the resources to retain the graduate after the subsidy has been used, thereby ensuring our students stay in the province."

Over 3,100 student employment opportunities will be created through programs supported by the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment this summer and over the coming year.

Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-4062

2004 06 11                                       11:20 a.m.