For the success of Student & Work Placement Agency programs, extensive consultation, communication and record keeping will continue between the Human Resources Department, Unions/Associations and various Community Partners including accredited educational institutions and approved agencies that service disadvantaged underemployed and/or disabled populations.

Appropriate precautions have been put into practice, including participants holding a valid and lawful Ontario Class “G” or “G2” driver’s license who may be required to operate a city vehicle as part of their duties being required to provide an up-to-date Driver’s Record/Abstract prior to commencing placement with the Corporation.

Financial Matters:

Typically, students employed by the Corporation are paid in accordance with Student Salary Schedules as outlined in the applicable Union Collective Agreements. The 2019 student hourly rate of pay as per the CUPE Local 543 and 82 Collective Agreements was $16.78 per hour. In the interest of equality, paid students in the Non-Union and WPFFA typically receive the Corporate Student hourly rate depending on the rules governing individual programs. In general, persons participating in work experience placement via Community–based Training organizations also receive the corporate student hourly rate.

The various paid Student/Youth and Work Placement Agency programs range from partial to full funding through Government subsidies to cover the cost of wages. Departments employing participants are responsible for any costs associated with participation through respective departmental budgets including any training, equipment or special preparation that is required to perform the activity. Mandatory Employer Related Costs (MERC’s) associated with the hiring of participants is also a departmental budget responsibility of participating departments. MERC’s which approximates 16% of the employee’s gross wages, includes: Employment Insurance premiums, Canada Pension Plan contributions, Vacation pay, Employer Health Tax and Employment Insurance Benefits.

Paid placements being offered by the Corporation have decreased over time due to limited resources/budget restraints of corporate managers/supervisors who might otherwise choose to participate, however, it is noted that this number is beginning to rebound. Recent steps taken with the approval of CAO 3135 now also provide opportunities for paid employment programming to disabled/disadvantaged members of the local community who are not students.

Consultations:

The Human Resources Department continues to circulate information to all corporate departments regarding interest in participating in approved programs and the type of placements our departments would be interested in.