College and university semesters are coming to an end, meaning thousands of students will be looking for summer jobs.
But a number of those positions could be on the chopping block due to the provincial government cutting funding to STEP (Summer Temporary Employment Program).
The impact is also being felt by organizations that employ those students.
“We’re going to have to go into our reserve money to operate this year,” said Duncan Lloyd, president of Gem of the West Museum in Coaldale. “How long we’re going to be able to operate is questionable.”
Get breaking National news
According to Lloyd, the loss of STEP funding means the Museum won’t be able to afford hiring temporary student employees over the coming summers.
Typically, Gem of the West has two students each summer, helping provide additional programming.
“Certainly this year we’re questioning whether we’ll have kids’ day camps because we haven’t got the students to run them,” said Lloyd.
Another provincial grant cut means Gem of the West could be short up to $30,000 from previous years.
Shortfalls across the board mean a significant number of students could be left out of a skilled position.
“STEP was great,” said Gail McKenzie at 5th on 5th Youth Services. “Not-for-profits usually came up with a project for students to develop their skills over that four-month period of time.”
McKenzie believes the cut means students looking for summer employment will have to act sooner than later.
“The competition once final exams are done is going to be really tight,” she said. “There may be more students out there than there are jobs.”
Officials at Gem of The West say they’ll continue depending on community donations. How to make up a major shortfall remains up in the air.
Comments