It may be January, but the search for a summer job in Waterloo region starts now

Wanted: students and youth for summer work in Waterloo region.

It may be winter, but area municipalities have opened their job portals for students and young people to apply for summer jobs.

The job titles include everything from customer service representatives, summer camp counsellors, instructors, life guards, waste management workers, as well as museum and library workers.

Nathan Moore, the supervisor of children and youth services with the City of Kitchener, says the city is looking to hire 200 students, which is more than in previous years.

“We are really excited about some of our new program models this year. And what that's going to entail is a lot of specialized camps," said Moore.

“So we're really looking to put out the call out for people who are interested in performing arts and in environmental programs and STEM programs. In sports, even skateboarding. So really looking for some participants who have background and knowledge and passion in some of these specialized programs."

The Region of Waterloo, and the cities of Waterloo, Cambridge and Kitchener all have their online job portals up and running.

Funding provided for job certification

In Kitchener, people between the ages of 15 and 30 can apply for funding to offset the cost of certification needed for some jobs.

“There are high fees associated with jobs such as having CPR and first aid certification, having background checks, getting your lifeguard certification and uniform cost,” said Moore.

“And sometimes that creates a barrier for [youth] who may not have the funds upfront to pay for those certifications. So applying for the Youth Employment Support is really an opportunity to get up to $300 to offset those costs."

Both the cities of Waterloo and Kitchener are holding job fairs in January.

The City of Waterloo is hosting a job fair on Jan. 14 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.

Students can attend in person and talk to the people hiring about the available jobs.

The City of Kitchener is holding its job fair on Jan. 17 at Forest Hill Community Centre.