Summer Work Student Exchange
Rewarding jobs for post-secondary students
“This is the best job I’ve ever had. I had a great team to support me and it was a very rewarding summer.”
Local and Support Coordinators are an integral part of the SWSE program. They act as the primary contact point person for youth participants. They develop and run activities, liaise with community partners, and are ambassadors for the program in regions across the country.
When you work with SWSE you have the opportunity to develop a variety of job skills such as conflict resolution, administration and team work. You also gain an awareness of the local community where you are working. As a SWSE Coordinator you are part of a national network of post-secondary students. You will also have the opportunity to shape the experience and lives of a group of 16 and 17 year olds.
If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply!
Seasonal employment: Part-time March to June, Full time June to August Location: across Canada Summer Work Student Exchange Program, 1800-365 Bloor Street E, Toronto Closing date: on a rolling basis
Nature and scope The YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange is a national exchange program coordinated by the YMCA and funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage. For six weeks over the summer, the exchange takes 16- and 17-year-old youth (from Canada) to another province where they stay with a local host, hold a paid job, and practice their second official language. The youth also participate in weekly program activities organized by the Local Coordinator in their new community. Local Coordinators provide leadership and bring the exchange to life in their local community. First, they will widely promote the program to youth and community organizations in order to recruit young people to participate, while also securing host and job placements for them (March-April). They also interview, select and prepare the outbound youth participants for this experience (May-June). Finally, they plan and deliver a full program of activities during the exchange, and support the inbound youth participants by helping them navigate change and address conflicts as they arise (July-August). Local Coordinators will be positive adult mentors for the youth with an interest in fostering strong relationships and opportunities for learning. Local Coordinators must be full-time post-secondary students. Successful candidates will have had previous experience working with youth and/or experiential education programs, possess strong communication, customer service and organizational skills, and be highly reliable individuals. They will have insight into Canada’s diversity and value an active approach to social inclusion.
Responsibilities
Mandatory Training: Two mandatory training sessions will take place. The first will occur in March and the second in late April/early May. Exact dates to be confirmed by the Regional Coordinator at the time of hiring. Trainings are held in-person and may require travel within Canada for two to four days. All costs related to travel and training are paid for by the YMCA.
Location, Period of Employment, and Salary: Positions are available throughout Canada. Local Coordinators must live within or close to the community to which they are assigned. Local Coordinators will work 12 hours/week from early March to April 29, increasing to 24 hours/week from April 30 to June 17, and then 37.5 hours/week (full-time) from June 18 to August 18. The starting salary is $18.65 per hour.
Eligibility:
Qualifications
Assets:
When I was 16 years old, a poster changed my life. My eleventh-grade French teacher put one up in our classroom that promised the “experience of a lifetime.” And as someone who absolutely loves a good adventure, I knew I had to sign up. Before I knew it, I was on my way to Montreal with the YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange (SWSE) Program!