Over 8,000 jobs available for youth in British Columbia

Surrey: Helping young Canadians get the skills and experience they need to start their careers is part of the Government’s plan to build a strong, resilient workforce and grow the middle class. That is why the Government of Canada has doubled the number of jobs created through the Canada Summer Jobs program since 2015, creating meaningful, paid work experience for over 70,000 youth per year.

Today, Randeep Sarai, Member of Parliament for Surrey Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced that the hiring season for Canada Summer Jobs 2019 has begun. Here in British Columbia that means that 8,244 jobs will be available to local youth. Also new this year, the Government of Canada invites young summer job seekers to find these opportunities by visiting jobbank. gc.ca/youth or downloading the free Job Bank app to find employers who are hiring in their communities. All the opportunities will be posted until July 12.

Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour said: “Canada’s young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are leaders today. That’s why our government, through Canada Summer Jobs, is focused on ensuring more young Canadians can access the paid, meaningful work experience they need to succeed in our changing economy. By posting all available jobs on Jobbank.gc.ca/ youth, young people can find all 2019 opportunities in one place.” Randeep Sarai, Member of Parliament for Surrey Centre said: “The Canada Summer Jobs program is an important program for youth and employers in British-columbia. This summer, it is helping to create job opportunities for over 8,000 youth in BC. The experiences and skills that young people will gain from the summer jobs will be valuable for their future careers.”

Quick Facts: • Canada Summer Jobs is part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy. Since 2005, the Youth Employment Strategy has helped over 900,000 young people gain the skills and work experience they need to find and keep good-quality jobs. • Since its launch in March 2018, the Job Bank app has been downloaded over 168,000 times and, combined with the website, has served over 5 million clients. • Employment and Social Development Canada received approximately 40,000 applications during the Canada Summer Jobs 2019 application period, requesting funding for approximately 150,000 jobs representing approximately $890M in total funding requests. • Budget 2016 included a commitment to double the number of Canada Summer Jobs every year going forward. In summer 2018, over 70,033 jobs were created through the Canada Summer Jobs program, fulfilling this commitment.

• Eligibility criteria for the program have changed and once again, tens of thousands of great job opportunities are available. This year, they are open to all youth between the ages of 15 and 30 who are eligible to work in Canada, not just students.

• Each year national priorities are determined based on the needs of the labour market and to reflect Canada’s diverse population This year’s national CSJ priorities support: • organizations that provide services to, or intend to hire, youth who self-identify as being part of underrepresented groups or who have additional barriers to participate in the labour market; • opportunities for youth to gain work experience related to the skilled trades; • opportunities for youth in rural areas and remote communities, and Official Language Minority Communities;

• small businesses, in recognition of their contribution to job creation; and • organizations that deliver supports or services to seniors.