Cody Ray was pleasantly surprised after he landed a job just minutes after submitting his application.
The 20-year-old Red Deer resident showed up at the Service Canada Centre for Youth on opening day Monday in an attempt to secure some casual work to raise extra money.
“I actually got a job already and I just signed up,” he said moments after filling out the necessary paperwork for the Casual Labour Program.
Ray was optimistic that the one-day yard work shift will be the first of many temporary gigs he’ll be offered in the coming months.
The Casual Labour Program is just one of the many free services the centre offers to connect people between the ages of 12 and 30 with local employers trying to fill various summer positions.
Casual positions are those that last less than two-weeks.
Part-time and full-time positions are also posted at the centre as well as online at www.jobbank.gc.ca
Jennifer Thompson, lead youth services officer, said the centre is open for three months so young people can find a job that will help them develop a skill set necessary to advance in the working world.
“Having a summer job is obviously a good way to get employment experience for furthering your career and future,” she said.
“You gain tons of skills in any job, regardless of what it is. So that’s really what we want to focus on with youth, helping them to gain those skills that they can use in the future.”
The opportunity to acquire some skills while also making money appealed to Mitchell Domier, who stopped by the centre on Monday.
The 17-year-old applied for the Casual Labour Program as he has struggled to find a job for some time.
“I heard about this program and decided to come check it out,” he said. “The casual jobs can help me gain experience and I can put that on a resume to help get a full-time job.”
In addition to highlighting jobs available to youth throughout the region, the centre also offers assistance with resume, cover letter and job interview preparation.
“Regardless of what the economy is like or how many jobs are out there, we can help youth,” Thompson said.
“By helping them with their resume or interview skills, we can always sort of give them an edge and an advantage when it comes to finding a job.”
Seeking assistance to create a strong resume is exactly what Shaune Fandrey, director of the Career Assistant Network in Red Deer, recommended for youth trying to find a job in what she anticipates will be another highly competitive year.
“They need to get a good resume,” she said, advising against using a template to create the document.
“When you’ve got hundreds of people applying for the same job, your tool really has to stand out.”
The staff of three who work at the centre had met with upwards of 10 youth looking for summer employment mid way through opening day.
So far, 40 vacancies — including those in retail, construction, labour, non-profit and government fields — have been posted, although the staff has been contacting local employers to build up the job bank.
The Service Canada Centre for Youth is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until Aug. 13 and is located on the second floor of 4911 51st St.
Appointments are not necessary but can be made by calling 403-340-4250.
Last year, the Service Canada Centre for Youth helped over 1,900 local youth find summer work.
ptrotter@www.reddeeradvocate.com