The paid internships run from July 9 to August 17. Now in its eighth year, the program attracts 54 companies mentoring more than 80 youth. These companies will have paid more than $900,000 in wages into this program since the start. At least 25 youth participants will also gain Apprenticeship credits which can be used towards graduation from high school, while other interns will also complete the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship certificate. The highlight of the program is the Summer Youth Internship Celebration luncheon on August 15.
Historically, construction trades take most students, but for the past three years there has been growing interest to train future cooks as the hospitality industry faces a shortage of skilled labour.
Students get hands-on experience, allowing them to investigate career options. They get relevant experience, evaluations, specialized training, and job coaching. Employers can see how the students fit into their businesses, often keeping the students on the payroll after their internships end.
The SEIC recruits Grade 11 and 12 students from the three school divisions in the greater Saskatoon area. STEC recruits food service employers to participate in the program.
In fact, if you own or operate a restaurant or other business that prepares and serves food, perhaps you'd like hire an intern next summer. You'd be expected to pay the student at least minimum wage, providing valuable summer employment for your intern, but unlike hiring inexperienced staff off the street or through classified advertising, you and your intern receive SYIP support that includes Food Safe and other safety training and a job coach who helps the student integrate into your workplace.
The kitchen and operations manager at one popular Saskatoon restaurant and lounge, who hired his first intern last summer, said that "the program sounded like a really good opportunity for the student and for us."
Hiring high school students is a good place to start, he said, because they haven't developed any habits that might make them unsuitable for a particular employer. Last year's intern is still working at the restaurant.
