Local program aims to connect youth with employment
Posted Mar 2, 2019 08:30:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A local program is hoping to connect local youth with jobs is hoping to continue to build on its previous success.
YouthForce is a large summer employer of youth in the Region aimed at ages between 15 and 24 who live in or near Region-owned community housing.
“The goal is to hire young people who are living in and around Waterloo Region Housing communities and to give them an 8 week employment opportunity that focuses on both skill development and personal developments,” Mina Fayez-Baghat, Manager of Waterloo Region Housing/Client Services for Housing Services tells KitchenerToday.com.
The program is in it's fourth year and has held two job fairs, one in Cambridge and one in Kitchener. They are hoping to hire up to 40 young people for the 2019 summer season.
There are two different types of jobs available. Hires will either work outdoors as part of a cleaning and beautification team. This is primarily geared towards first time employees. The second position will go to older youth, filling the role of housing inspector. The Region is responsible to conduct a certain amount of inspections of their properties.
Fayez-Baghat says the program has been very popular. He says there may not be enough positions to match the demand. However, all applicants will have access to free online training modules. This means they will get WHMIS, WSIB, Health and Safety and Customer Service Training even if they are not hired into a position.
“So even if they aren't a successful candidate they still have these certificates with them and have built up a bit of a portfolio within their resume in order to seek other jobs with those skills that they gained by just applying for the Youth Force Position.”
Successful candidates will typically work five, 8 hour shifts a week. There will also be a half day each week dedicated to personal development including resume training and money management training, among other opportunities.
The program runs from July until the Labour Day weekend.
