The province is investing $3.2 million to create jobs for up to 500 students and youth who will be part of teams that will do flood-protection, recovery and cleanup work in communities affected by flooding. This announcement was made by Premier Greg Selinger.
“We recognize that flood-affected communities need workers to assist with ongoing flood protection, recovery and cleanup work,” Selinger said. “Youth flood teams will provide communities with quick access to fully subsidized young workers to support their existing flood-protection efforts.”
Selinger said the program encourages municipalities to partner with local youth groups and organizations, such as 4H and cadets, to identify potential employees, particularly those who have been previously engaged as volunteers in flood-related work. Other employees will be drawn from the existing student employment placement service (STEP Services) database of more than 8,000 students and youth.
“Students and youth across Manitoba have already given many hours of strenuous and difficult volunteer work fighting the flood and saving the properties of their neighbours,” Selinger said. “They deserve credit for this selfless work and I know all Manitobans join me in thanking them.”
High-school students, post-secondary students and unemployed youth of the ages of 16 to 29 are eligible for employment under the program.
“This program will expand youth employment opportunities in rural communities and provide youth with a unique, meaningful opportunity for community engagement,” said Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors Minister Jim Rondeau.
The Youth Flood Teams program will focus on Manitoba communities most affected by flooding, providing up to 500 full-time student and youth jobs, the premier said. Each of the affected communities will be eligible for up to 15 fully subsidized student and youth employees for a 12-week employment term, starting June 13 and ending Sept. 2. The application process is based on the Hometown Green Team program. An estimated 148,800 work hours will be funded by the program, with an average of 10 employees per community.
In addition to providing needed support and financial resources to flood-impacted communities, youth flood teams will support the province’s ongoing commitment to youth employment, citizenship and positive community engagement, and help to support the objectives of the recently announced Manitoba Youth Job Corps Program.
This initiative complements the recently announced $175-million Flood 2011 Building and Recovery Action Plan. The three-part strategy will build for the future, strengthen communities and help families and producers, the premier said.
Applications for Youth Flood Teams program are available online. For further information, please contact 945-0901, 945-3556, or 1-800-282-8069 (toll-free).
