A program to encourage student employment in Grey-Bruce has received more funding for its efforts this year, and that means it can expand its service.
The Summer Jobs Service Program is offered by the Owen Sound Family YMCA.
Spokesperson Michelle Leibold said it provides interested businesses with a two dollar per hour wage reimbursement to employers who hire students over the summer.
Leibold says in order to be eligible, businesses have to hire students that are between the ages of 15 and 30, must be returning to school in September, they cannot have been hired prior to being approved for the program, and they must be working part-time — preferrably full time.
Leibold says interest has been strong so far this year, the YMCA has been trying to spread the word about the program since they found they had received more funding and that the age limit had been increased from 24 to 30.
She says they’ve been getting good response from employers, but not very much from the southern parts of Grey and Bruce Counties.
Leibold says they’d like to see more interest from Kincardine, Walkerton, Hanover, Meaford, and Thornbury.
Over 400 positions have already been approved for funding this year.
Under the program, employers submit the number of hours a student is working over the summer, and then they are reimbursed for the subsidized amount after.
Interested employers can find out more by contacting YMCA Community and Employment Services Walkerton office at (519) 881-4606.