BY MIKE SIMMS
Student job prospects have never been better owing to a historically low unemployment rate in Greater Sudbury.
According to statistics based on the Greater Sudbury Census Metropolitan Area (CMA), compiled by the Northern Ontario Area Economist, the city’s unemployment rate was at an all-time low of 5.8 percent at the beginning of 2007.
This is the first time in 10 years the rate has dipped below the 6.7 percent provincial mark.
Sudbury tied for third-lowest rate alongside Kitchener and London, out of 11 total CMA’s in Ontario. Kingston had the lowest rate with 4.5 percent.
The CMA reported an increase of 2,000 part-time jobs in the city. Since last year, there were two new jobs created for every new or returning labourer.
“It’s actually a lot better than it has been in the last couple of years,” said Lise Longchamp, job developer for the Youth Employment Services (YES) Centre. “I’ve noticed a switch with the job market.”
The main goal of the YES Centre is to assist students and young workers in their efforts to enter the workforce.
The centre provides services such as resume and interview preparation, job development and career assessment.
“I think they (students) are very important to Sudbury’s economy,” Longchamp said. “If you look at seasonal work, there’s obviously an influx in positions that are available, and a lot of people not in school need full-time employment for stability.
“The students I’ve met are motivated, they want to work and want to get the experience.”
There are lots of jobs out there and a wide variety of choices for students, she said. Networking is the most important thing for a successful job search, according to Longchamp.
“If you talk to one person and say you’re looking for work this summer, they may tell two people and those two people might tell another two people,” Longchamp said. “In no time, a lot of people know this person might be looking for work.”
Students who go through the YES Centre begin with an intake process and meet with an employment counsellor.
Based on their interests, career goals and qualifications, Longchamp helps market them to the appropriate employer.
A lot of people don’t know about the centre’s services, Longchamp said. The services offered are free and the programs offered are geared for adults 18 and up.
“We’re not just helping 18 to 24 (year olds) and under anymore,” she said. “We also help adults.”
YES works in partnership with other government agencies that focus on employment such as Service Canada, which provides job listings and help for those looking for work. The service is part of the government’s youth employment strategy.
Service Canada’s Student Centre will open April 30. The YES Centre can be reached at 675-JOBS (5627). More information about these services and job listings are available at servicecanada.gc.ca.
