Lots of summer jobs available in Waterloo region, but students say they're not told about opportunities

Seeing snow on the ground may make it hard to believe,but employers are already looking ahead to the warmer months.

In Waterloo region, the cities and townships have announced they're looking for young people to fill various seasonal jobs.

The Township of Wilmot said in a press release that student job opportunitiesare a chance for young people to "lend their enthusiasm and skills to a wide range of meaningful activities, projects, and programs through several available employment opportunities, boosting their professional development while investing in the community and their future."

In a release from the City of Cambridge,Mayor Jan Liggettsaid they "value and appreciate" summer workers and the jobs "provide valuableworkexperience and pathways to economic opportunity, while at the sametimehelping us continue to offer exceptional programs and services to our community."

The City of Kitchener held a job fair lastweekendat the Victoria Hills Community Centretargeted specifically to youth. Kerry Schott, a human resources associate with the city, says there are hundreds of positions available to anyone over the age of 15.

"It's a great place to work. It's great entry-level positions and there are lots of opportunities." Schott said, adding the cityis hoping to fill around 300 positions at places like pools, cemeteries and camps.

She said hiring for camps is a really big need because"campscan't run without students, seasonal hires and volunteers."

Fortunately, saidSchott, the city has been luckywith filling most positions but she admits it's been more difficult to get people out to job fairs in the past few months.

To create more buzz and help get the word out,Schott says the city did a "great social media push through Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram ... because that's what the youth are all on."

She says it worked well and their job fair drew in around200 students.

The city is also looking for volunteers. Schott says they accept volunteers as young as 12 to help out with different events around the city during the summer.

Willing to work, but where to look?

CBC Kitchener-Waterloo spoke to some students standing outsideCameron Heights Collegiate Institute in Kitchener to find out whether they were thinking ahead to the summer months in terms of work.

Many students say they are ready to enter the workforce but they're not too sure what kinds of opportunities are out there for them.

Grade 10 studentAhlaamAbdullahsays she'd be interested in working a summer camp job or a leadership role type job.

"I've seen some on Indeed but I haven't looked on the city website," she siad.

Abdullah's peers say that's where they've been looking for work as well but had no idea the city hired people their age.

Daxon Froy, a Grade 12 student, says working with the city would be "pretty cool." Right now he's been looking at retailers like Walmart but said something like landscaping sounds like a good option for work.

ZubeirHamizai, a Grade 10, said he already hasa job lined up for summer with a restaurant but thinks the city would have greater reach with youth if they came partnered directly with high schools to "have an assembly ... that way more kids will realize, 'Oh I can get a job.'"

But not every student is looking for work. Some of the young peoplewho spoke with CBC News said they'll be using their free time during the summer to catch up on some much needed rest and relaxation.

For those who are looking for employment opportunities, the City of Kitchener has more job fairs planned for next month and isposting job listings on its website.