Looking for a summer job?

By Dan Hilborn
Published May 19, 2004


The Canada Employment Centre for Students is now open, and ready to help young people find that all-important summer job.

The office, which is located on Kingsway near Royal Oak, helped fill a record 2,717 jobs last summer, an increase of 62.3 per cent over the year before.

"Basically, the office is for students who have questions about how to find a job, or where to look for help, and for employers who need help for the summer months," said Emily Chiang, one of eight summer employment officers working at the site.

The office has a long list of services available for both students and potential employers.

Students can find the following services:
- job postings;
- group information sessions, in-cluding mock job interviews that help to improve job search skills;
- one-on-one employment assistance;
- assistance with writing resumes and cover letters;
- casual labour and odd job opportunities (less than five days work);
- a list of volunteer opportunities (to gain job-ready skills);
- information on prevailing wage rates; and
- information on employment standards in B.C. and Canada.

Employers can also find a long list of available services, including:
- no-charge job posting advertising;
- no-cost recruitment and referral services;
- access to qualified and enthusiastic students from a variety of fields;
- flexible staffing options (casual labour and long- or short- term employment);
- volunteer opportunity postings;
- information on other programs and services offered by the government of Canada; plus
- information on prevailing wage rates and employment standards.

In addition to the above, students also get access to computers, photocopiers and fax machines to prepare and send out their resumes and cover letters.

The Burnaby/New Westminster Human Resources Centre of Canada for Students (HRCC-S) is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays at 5276 Kingsway, just east of Royal Oak Avenue. During the months of May and June, the Monday to Thursday opening hours will be extended until 6 p.m.

Students and employers can contact the centre at 604-666-1200.