NDP: Rachel Notley’s NDP to create 3,000 student jobs by restoring STEP

Today, Rachel Notley announced that the NDP will help create 3,000 jobs for students this summer by restoring the Summer Temporary Employment Program, which was eliminated by the PCs in 2013.
“Alberta’s students deserve to have the best job opportunities this summer,” said Notley. “That’s why the NDP will help open doors for young Albertans by restoring STEP and undoing the damage caused by the PCs’ reckless cut. By investing in young Albertans, we will help students take their first step up the ladder – and we will help build our province’s future.”
The Summer Temporary Employment Program was established by PC Premier Peter Lougheed in 1972 to help create summer job opportunities for students. After forty years of successfully partnering with community organizations and municipalities to create good student jobs, the PC government axed the program in 2013. The Premier even dismissed STEP as a “crutch” and refused to listen to widespread calls to restore the program.
Today, Notley announced that the NDP will restore STEP by investing $10 million annually to create 3,000 student jobs each year.
“Peter Lougheed created STEP in his first year as Premier, but now this PC Party has turned its back on his vision and destroyed thousands of student job opportunities,” said Notley. “By reversing the PCs’ cut and restoring STEP, we will create new opportunities for students to gain the experience and skills they need to enter the workforce and continue their learning outside the classroom.”