Get the Jump on Summer Jobs

Summer may appear to be a dreamlike, faraway concept. Getting that summer job, however, is reality, and it's just around the corner.

If you're a student and haven't figured out what you'll be doing to earn money and get career-related experience this summer, you'd be well-advised to not only start thinking about it, but doing something about it -- not in April when classes are finished, but now.

Start by taking a look at some of the employment programs the Nova Scotia and the federal governments are running.

Here's a rundown of three programs in Nova Scotia for this May-to-September period that employers apply for. All offer students not only a career boost that will pay off down the road when entering the labour market, but provide a financial boost that will help out with immediate education costs.

NOVA SCOTIA LINKS
Nova Scotia Links is a provincially run internship program for post-secondary students that offers participating employers a 40 per cent wage subsidy this summer term. Operating year-round, it is designed to give students valuable career-related experience with Nova Scotian employers.

Internships run 12 to 18 weeks with mostly private-sector businesses. Since 1995, NS Links has provided more than 2,000 students with the chance to put academic theory to the real-world test. This summer, in its biggest term yet, more than 1,000 students are expected to find work with employers across the province.

To be eligible, students must be attending university, community college or a registered trade school, or have graduated within the past four months. Students earn $8 or $10 an hour.

Deadline for employer applications for the May-to-September period is Feb. 28. The listing of approved employers and jobs descriptions will be posted at student employment centres in early April. For more information, call toll-free 1-888-466-3111.

EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS
Harmonizing with NS Links is the Nova Scotia Employment Program for Students, run through Economic Development and Tourism. It's one of several programs that falls under the Provincial Employment Program, the umbrella program that began 20 years ago to give students career-related experience. The Nova Scotia Employment Program for Students is expected to offer 850 post-secondary students summer jobs in municipal, government-funded and not-for-profit sectors from May 25 to Sept. 5. Jobs range from event organizers to physiotherapists and pay an average of $7.50 an hour.

The Provincial Employment Program will fund a range of additional student employment initiatives to provide work for some 2,500 Nova Scotians.

Nova Scotia students attending a post-secondary institution this fall are eligible for the Nova Scotia Employment Program for Students. The deadline for employer applications is March 6. For more information, call 902-424-6000 in the Halifax area or toll-free 1-800-880-6661.

SUMMER CAREER PLACEMENTS
On the federal level, Human Resources Development Canada is continuing with Summer Career Placements, a student wage subsidy available to private-sector, non-profit and some public sector employers.

The Summer Career Placements program plans to provide opportunities for 2,800 returning full-time students in Nova Scotia in a range of jobs starting at minimum wage. Jobs run from six to 16 weeks and are intended to give students experience in their chosen fields.

The program is one of several federal initiatives that's part of Student Summer Job Action 1998, a $120-million program designed to offer jobs to more than 60,000 Canadian students.

Summer Career Placements is accepting applications from employers until March 28. Students may also approach employers individually and tell them about the program. For more information, contact a Human Resources Development Canada office or a student employment centre.