Archived News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

February 27, 2008

Province Announces 1,400 Summer Jobs To Be Available For Manitoba Youth



Manitoba youth between the ages of 16 and 24 will have access to approximately 1,400 summer jobs and four $500-scholarships through the province’s Green Team programs this year, Education, Citizenship and Youth Minister Peter Bjornson announced today.
 
The Urban and Hometown Green Teams will each benefit from $1.85 million in provincial funding for summer employment programs.  Additional funding of $445,000 this year will also better support
not-for-profit organizations and offer scholarship opportunities.
 
“Municipal governments and not-for-profit organizations have told us they value our Green Team programs and the community development projects they support,” Bjornson said.  “We’re pleased to play a significant role in providing meaningful summer jobs to young Manitobans who want to make a difference in their communities.”
 
The Green Team employment programs support priority projects that enhance urban and rural communities.  Priorities for funding this year will go toward projects such as drop-in centres, sports camps and the hiring of Aboriginal youth. 
 
“Helping youth get involved in community development projects today will directly benefit Manitoba’s future by creating healthy communities and a healthy economy,” Bjornson said.  “The four new scholarships of $500 will go to individuals whose work over the summer has the greatest impact at the community level.  We’re certain that selecting the scholarship recipients at the end of the summer will not be an easy task.”
 
In addition to Urban and Hometown Green Team projects, the Conservation Green Team hires youth to work in provincial parks and offices throughout rural Manitoba.  Jobs vary from park maintenance to resource and environmental management to tourism.  Youth may work on general maintenance, wildlife, forestry and environmental projects.  Interpretive assistant positions are also available with students leading campfire talks, developing amphitheatre programs or providing information at park interpretive centres or museums.  Conservation Green Team students are hired for two- and
three-month terms.  Youth will work from May 20 to Aug. 22 or July 2 to Aug. 22.
  
The Urban and Hometown Green Team programs enhance communities and benefit residents through such projects as sports camps, drop-in centres, neighbourhood safety, community renewal and housing rehabilitation.  The programs help create summer jobs with rural municipal governments and not-for-profit organizations in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba.  Approved municipal governments receive funding on a 50/50 cost-shared basis and not-for-profits receive 100 per cent funding to cover salaries and other support costs for up to four individuals.  Youth will work from May 5 to Aug. 22. Applications from employers must be received by March 7.
 
“Students learn over time their summer jobs have a long-term impact on their success in school and careers,” Bjornson said.  “These jobs help young Manitobans learn valuable work skills and make important contacts while earning money for the school year.  The projects they undertake also help them gain technical, communications and other workplace skills.”
 
Interested young people can apply for Conservation Green Team jobs at the nearest Manitoba Conservation district office.  Call 1-800-282-8069, ext. 7182, for job locations or view them at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/wildlife/about/who.html. Urban and Hometown Green Team jobs are available by registering online at www.studentjobs.gov.mb.ca or calling 945-2343 or 1-800-282-8069, ext. 2343, after April 1 to find out which organizations are participating.
 
Additional information about the Hometown Green Team is available at:
www.edu.gov.mb.ca/youth/employers/Hometown.html. Additional information about the Urban Green Team is available at www.edu.gov.mb.ca/youth/Employers/UrbanGreenTeam.html.  Applications are available online.
 
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