Local companies eager to find seasonal workers

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This article was published 07/04/2012 (5160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If you’re a student in search of a summer job, there’s no time like the present to start applying.

Seasonal positions have been posted by a variety of employers — everything from Koch Fertilizer to the City of Brandon.

The city is hiring casual labourers for the summer months to do everything from working at the landfill to mowing grass.

“We typically start hiring around the time when university lets out, but of course with the weather … we may start hiring casual labourers earlier,” said Allison Collins, the city’s communications director.

As of yesterday, there were two openings — one for casual labourers and the other for casual labourers with a Class 3 driver’s licence with air endorsement or Class 1 with air endorsement.

Donna Harrowen, human resources generalist with the city, says they hire between 35 and 56 casual labourers in the summer season.

“Casual labourers do anything from mow and whippersnip, (to) working at the sanitation department … filling potholes and repairing playground equipment,” Harrowen said.

The city also hires people to work at the golf course, as well as youth activity leaders to help with day camps.

Harrowen said the city hires on a project-driven basis throughout the summer.

Visit brandon.ca to check out the city’s employment opportunities and apply online.

Koch Fertilizer Canada is also hiring seasonal employees — transportation loaders and irrigation and grounds labourers.

“Spring came on us quickly, so we needed to get our positions filled a bit quicker,” said Tyler Porter, human resources leader at Koch Fertilizer.

Last week, Koch held a seasonal job expo at the Victoria Inn, where they held on-the-spot interviews.

“It’s an opportunity to get people in, meet with everybody … and get our positions filled quick rather than going through the regular process,” Porter said, adding they are looking for 20 to 25 employees.

Porter said about half of the jobs were filled, thanks to the expo.

“We still have lots of opportunity for people looking for seasonal work,” he said. Visit KochCareers.com for more information.

Maple Leaf Foods is also hiring summer students to fill production worker positions and offers a hefty bonus if students start by the end of June.

“If people declare themselves as students and they can demonstrate that they’re registered for the fall semester in post-secondary school, and if they work for us continually until the end of August, we give a $1,000 bonus before taxes,” said Nikolene Day, Maple Leaf HR manager.

Visit mapleleaffoods.com for more information on job opportunities.

The Province of Manitoba’s Green Team program will be hiring students between the ages of 15 and 29 years. Participating employers provide a variety of community development projects that improve neighborhoods, promote community involvement and help develop young leaders. Jobs are available starting May 1, as well as June 15.

Interested individuals should call 1-800-282-8069 ext. 3556. Several Brandon organizations have received funding to hire youth through the Green Team including Brandon Barbarians Rugby Football Club, Brandon Minor Baseball, RM of Cornwallis, Canadian Cancer Society, Central Council of Community Centres, Westman Softball Association and Brandon YMCA.

» jaustin@brandonsun.com