Feds invest $40M to help students find jobs, launches the Canada Student Services Grant

Feds invest $40M to help students find jobs, launches the Canada Student Services Grant
File photo.

Canadian students are getting more help from the federal government as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces the creation of the Canada Student Services Grant (CSSG), as well as investing $40 million to create 5,000 jobs, internships and co-op positions for post-secondary students.

During the morning press conference on Thursday from Rideau Cottage, Trudeau says any students who volunteer this Summer will be able to receive anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 in grants.

“We are launching the Canada Student Services Grant that will allow students to acquire skills and experience while contributing to their community,” said Trudeau.

The Prime Minister says the amount of money given to each student from the newly announced CSSG will be determined by how many volunteer hours each applicant collects between June 18 and September 15.

This is in addition to the previously announced $9 billion Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), which provides $1,250 for all post-secondary or recently graduated students who cannot find work due to COVID-19, announced in April.

Trudeau also announced $40 million in funding to create 5,000 Mitacs internships and positions at the post-secondary level.

“Mitacs is an NGO that builds relationships between Universities and industry with training programs, internships and projects,” said the nation’s leader.

He says the Mitacs placements are usually for people at the masters and Ph.D. levels, as well as research students, but with the funding announced today, they’ll expand their internship opportunities to undergrads and students in professional programs like law, medicine or business.

The funding will allow Mitacs to connect students by partnering with hospitals, foundations and municipal governments.

More information about the CSSG can be found at the I want to Help portal on the government’s website.

“If we want to build a strong, resilient economy, we have to invest in the next generation,” said Trudeau. “We have to make sure young people have the right tools to work, innovate and succeed in the economy of the future.”

In the conference, Trudeau also announced the federal government will also create 10,000 job placements for Canadians aged between 15 and 30 through Canada Summer Jobs.

He also promised to support 20,000 placements in high demand sectors through the Student Work Placement Program.

“To make sure young people are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow, we are investing in the digital skills for youth, and computers for schools+ programs,” said Trudeau.

Rebecca LawrenceRebecca Lawrence

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