The application deadline for a federal jobs initiative has been extended to Friday.
The Liberal government has pledged to double the funding for the Canada Summer Jobs Program, which matches businesses with young people seeking summer work. With the additional funding, Chatham-Kent-Leamington MP Dave Van Kesteren wants to ensure local businesses can continue taking on student help.
"Traditionally, the people and the organizations that apply for the Canada student jobs, there's pretty much the same list that we see every year. We try to accommodate them," says Van Kesteren.
The CSJP is geared toward young people aged 15 to 30 who intend to return to their studies full time in fall 2016. Non-profits that apply can receive total reimbursement of any minimum wage and any mandatory job-related costs, according to the official Service Canada website. Small businesses and public sector employers can receive half the costs. All businesses that apply must have 50 or fewer employees.
Van Kesteren says it is important that businesses and students are aware of this program.
"We just want to make sure that the students in our area are given that opportunity," says Van Kesteren, who adds that with the increased federal funds, businesses may be able to double the number of students they can hire.
Students must be willing to work between six and 16 weeks during the course of their employment. They must meet age requirements and be either a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have refugee status conferred. They must also be legally entitled to work in Canada.
Click here for further information or to download the application form.