Youth looking for work in Portage la Prairie can seek help at the Manitoba Youth Job Centre. Youth Engagement Leader Keelin Horning explains how the centre works.

"The Manitoba Youth Job Centre is a free referral service that employers can use. An employer can be anyone from a business owner to a home owners. Students and youth register with me, ages 12-29, and I set them up with positions in the community, which can be casual or full time and part time work. I also do the Odd Jobs Squad, which is youth 12-16. I create events, BBQ's, strawberry picks for them to come out and get some first-work experience."

The service is there to help youth get work experience, starting as young as 12. Horning explains the importance of programs like their Odd Job Squad.

"Some of the kids are really eager to get that work experience down. It's a fun way for them to learn these skills that will help them further on when they're looking for their full time jobs or part time jobs later in life."

Horning says explains why people should take advantage of the service.

"It's a great service. It's free, I have to highlight that, free! So it's a great way for them to get to know the youth in the community and give them that opportunity to get some work experience on their resume. Usually it's very busy, especially when school gets out. Kidswant some jobs to do to get that first-work experience in."

You can get in touch with the Manitoba Youth Job Centre by phone at 204-870-0363 or email portagelaprairiemyjc@gov.mb.ca. You can always stop in at their 1-1016 Saskatchewan Avenue East.