A new weekly outreach service will link youth and employers in the local area and help prepare youth for the job hunt.
Service Canada Centre for Youth (SCCY) is opening a weekly service in Squamish to assist young workers and businesses with their summer and permanent employment needs.
"Whatever the job is - big or small, short or long term - we can help you fill it," said Youth Services Officer Lauren Webb.
"Youth Services Officers will be contacting local employers to make them aware that outreach in Squamish is available and we are ready assist them in any way we can."
Monday (June 21) was Webb's first day in their mobile Squamish office in the Squamish Service Canada building at 1440 Winnipeg St.
She said they helped one young man to write his resume and cover letter and showed him how to access the database of jobs available.
The mobile centre will be open every Monday except holidays (Aug. 2) until Aug. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
"The North Shore Service Canada Centre for Youth has a very large region and our service area goes all the way out to Whistler and Pemberton," said Webb, "So this provides a great way to promote our services to clients that we don't normally reach."
Despite their focus on summer employment, Webb said they are able to "assist with more permanent positions as well."
The centre is open to youth aged 15 to 30 so they expect some customers would be seeking help in that more long-term area.
The centre provides a young people with job postings, interview advice, resume building and job searching strategies and employers with a location to post their job openings.
The listings are always available at www.jobbank.gc.ca and they range from painter to educational assistant to baker to sandwich maker.
The centre focuses on aspects of job searching people often don't understand. Many young people will look at a job description and decide not to apply because they don't have all the work experience listed.
Youth Services Officers help make sure the traits these young people do have are put on paper in the form of transferable skills.
"Skills are gained over time by experiences you've had," said Webb. "For example, as a student you have probably become organized and punctual. If you have played a lot of sports, you have probably learned to work well as a team member and are goal-oriented."
She also mentioned problem solving and adaptability skills, effective interpersonal communication skills and more unique skills or talents.
The centre is also available to help make resumes the best they can be.
"Having an attractive, easy-to-read resume can make the difference between being offered an interview or not," said Webb.
Webb said she isn't sure what to expect but she has high hopes for the impact this could have on the community and surrounding area.
"I don't believe that we've set any goals currently," she said, "but I think our presence there is important in itself. We haven't done this before so it's definitely a step in the right direction."
For more information on SCCY call 1-800-O-Canada or visit servicecanada.gc.ca
