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In fact, QuickStart classes are so effective, we guarantee your successful compl no additional charge. ; - Choose from a wide variety of courses, from Computer . Basics to classes on the most popular business software, including WordPerfect, Windows, Simply Accounting and more. ’ ot All course materials are included, and certification is provid- ed upon completion. 7 So call QuickStart today. And be computer-literate tomor- row. available exclusively through WESTCOAST COMPUTERS * 1637 Lonsdale North Vancouver, B.C. 986-7680 : [HARVERD) VANCOUVER HARVERD | COLLEGE wont MANDARIN CHINESE THE LANGUAGE OF THE DRAGONS OF ASIA:CHINA, TAIWAN, SINGAPORE! a Speak the language of the fastest growing economies in the world today! ## Improve your Asia-Pacific business opportunities! 48 Explore an ancient and fascinating culture! V.H.C. offers the finest and most professional instruc- tion In Mandarin Chinese. Our highly qualified teaching staff will provide you with the most effec- tive language training in British Columbia. For more information call 987-8381 247 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 1A5 tion, or you can retake your class at. THE OFFICE at 1200 Lonsdale is closed and the window is empty. By Martin Millerchip Contributing Writer But this is not another story about business failures and unemployment in recessionary times. Just the opposite, in fact. This was the summer home for the North Shore’s Canada Employment Centre for Youth and it’s been a busy four months since April 22, according to super- visor Andrew Arida. As of Aug. I1, 10 days before closing, the centre had posted 1,425 job vacancies. Arida pro- jects that when the final analysis is done, about 35% more listings will have been offered this year than last. “It’s difficult to say precisely how many students we have placed because not everyone signs in, while others sign in more than once. But we have serviced over 2,800 North Shore students this summer,”’ says Arida. With the exception of Arida, all six placement officers are students themselves, a requirement of the federal program that celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. “Students helping students find jobs,’ describes Arida, who was a placement officer at the Calgary office last year before graduating with a BA in psychology from the University of Calgary. : But Arida is quick to point out that the programy offers far more than a listings service for prospec- tive employees. - “We talked to over 1,000, mostly high school, students this year, encouraging them to stay in school. By the year 2000, 60% of all the available work out there is going to require a Grade !2 education. “We encourage them to get work so they can stay in school, not leave it,’’ says Arida. __ Job vacancies are canvassed by the placement officers early in the summer but high-profile com- panies offering career prospects have already been deluged with resumes from post-secondary stu- dents who have learned to start their summer job search in Febru- ary. While many jobs are of the ca- sual iabor, retail and service in- dustry type, the centre has placed everybody from veterinary nurses and computer software designers to temporary-tattoo artists. yment centre places students for summer jobs Students on his first visit to the Lonsdale office.. “The biggest thing we did this summer was getting the message to the employers that there is no job too big, nor too small, that we couldn’t handle,’’ says Arida. In fact many of the jobs have been have been of the “too smalil’’ variety. . Any job that lasted under two weeks was classified as ‘‘casual labor,’ allowing students to phone in on a daily basis to regis- ter for work. “Most students who registered got work,” says Arida. “You have have to be a little bit flexible, though. There is. less work out there and the days of the $12- an-hour job are almost gone.” Arida guesses that the average wage this summer has run at about $7.50 an hour. “We still get $15-an-hour jobs but the requirements are huge,” he says. To help students: meet the -re- - quirements of ‘‘career jobs’’. or those with the catch-22 tag ‘must’ have’ previous experience,”’. the centre strongly recommends vol- unteering. : an _ “Those students who went to. - the volunteer agencies early pretty much had their pick of choice jobs that gave a big head start in terms of experience,’’ says Arida.. Bee The centre also provided train-’ ing in resume drafting and. preparation. coe : Placement officers gave one- . to-one assistance on the office computer and laser printer as long -as the student had previously: at- tended a group information ses- sion. Sore : ‘*We try to ensure that when we are gone in September they can do. this sort .of preparation for themselves,’’ says Arida. CURRICULUM ~ During the 13-week course, stu- dents will study all phases of income tax prepara- tion including current laws, theory and applica- tion. SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE an H&R BLOCK certificate of achievement as well as the opportunity to interview for EMPLOYMENT WITH &R BLOCK. However, completion of the course does not guarantee employment. H&R BLOCK KNOWS TAXES AND HOW to teach them. Our instructors are expertly trained and are experienced BLOCK personnel who make each session an exciting experience with discussion ses- sions, reference materials and instructions using regulation forms and schedules. CLASSES ARE NOW FORMING - ENROLMENT is open and classes begin Sept. #3. choice of moming, afternoon & evening sessions are avail- able, ANYONE MAY ENROL. APPLICANTS need only the willingness to learn about taxes. THE TUITION COST IS LOW and covers the com: plete course, including textbooks, all materials, supplies, reference guides and registration. There are no extra charges. An installment payment plan is available if desired. a FULL DETAILS ARE AS CLOSE AS YOUR tele- phone. Just call for complete data as to class loca tions, starting dates, tuition, etc. _ Act promptly as classroom space is limited. Early registration will ensure your place in the school. YOUR INQUIRY IS INVITED 323