Federal program creates over 600 summers jobs for local students

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The Canada Summer Jobs program is creating employment opportunities for hundreds of students in Windsor and Tecumseh.

Thanks to a federal investment of $2.2 million, more than 600 new jobs are now available to young people aged 15 to 30.

“There are hundreds of organizations across Windsor-Essex that are looking for young people through this program,” said MP Irek Kusmiercyzk (L — Windsor-Tecumseh) Thursday at a launch event the Bike Kitchen in Windsor. 

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“It gives them money in their pockets, but most importantly, it gives them that experience and connects them with the amazing organizations in our community doing incredible work.”

The government covers 100 per cent of the wages for non-profits and 50 per cent of wages for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees.

The program provides up to 70,000 students with full-time job experience across Canada. 

Lori Newton, the executive director of Bike Windsor-Essex, said the program has been a vital part of its operations.

“If it wasn’t for the five to six students that we receive through the summer job programs, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do,” Newton said.

“We are doing the only cycling education across the region. We’re in every municipality in Essex County, teaching kids, teaching adults how to ride bicycles safely, how to repair their bikes, how to keep their bikes in good working condition.”

Jennifer Pestrin, the executive director at Community Living Windsor, said the organization has been a recipient of the program’s funding for 10 years.

“We have people who return year after year,” Pestrin said. “We actually have employees who have started out as summer students and have worked with us for many years now.”

The deadline for young people to apply and start a summer job is July 22. Available positions can be found on the Canada Job Bank website. The program runs until Aug. 31.

mholmeshill@postmedia.com

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