Kevin Allerston
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 25/05) - The Yellowknife Hire a Student office is calling on business to help job-starved students get work.

So far there has been limited success, with the office placing 11 students among 35 posted jobs.

The real problem is a shortage of employers.

Since opening on May 4, the Hire a Student people have had more than 200 youth come by or call looking for jobs.

Thus far they've received 37 resumes.

The office finds summer work for students who are home from college or university.

The positions range from unskilled labour to work experience related to their education.

"It's important," said Chloe Straw, senior summer employment officer. "Without training for young people, who will replace the professionals out there right now?"

The office helps in a number of ways. Students get resume writing tips.

The centre circulates their would-be workers' information to potential employers and encourages business to cash in on the advantages of hiring students.

"I've been trying to contact employers and encourage more student jobs to be created," she said.

"There's a lot of people now that summer's on its way wanting yard work done, household stuff, that kind of thing."

Tom Vornbrock is looking for somebody to do some yard work and odd jobs over the summer.

Easy hirings

He said he hopes the centre will make it easier for him to find somebody willing to do some work.

"Plus, they have a lot more students available. If they don't show up, just call and get another one," he said.

TJ Buggins currently goes to Sir John Franklin high school and is looking for a labourer job this summer.

"I think it will make it easier," he said. "My parents encouraged me to come take a look and make some money here."

Tim Hortons has benefited quite a bit from student employees, with about 40 per cent of the staff being youths.

The first day management posted a job, three responses came in.

"All the students we've got are awesome," said assistant manager Liz Cillon.