A familiar face has returned to the Manitoba Youth Job Centre (MYJC) this summer to help teens and young adults build workplace skills and find employment opportunities in Morden and beyond.
Anna Nikkel, a psychology and animal systems student at the University of Manitoba, is back for a second year as the Morden-based Youth Engagement Leader for the provincial MYJC program. A longtime resident of Morden, Nikkel serves not only her hometown but also nearby communities such as Winkler, Carman and Portage la Prairie.
“My role is to assist students and youth with any employment needs and direct them to where they can look for work in the future,” she said.
Funded by the Manitoba government, MYJC provides free employment support to youth aged 13 to 29 across rural and northern Manitoba. Services include resume preparation, interview assistance, job search strategies, and career development support. For younger teens, ages 13 to 16, the centre offers the Odd Job Squad — a supervised program designed to give youth hands-on work and volunteer experience.
Nikkel remembers taking part in an Odd Job Squad event as a middle school student, calling it a turning point in her own job journey. “Having that experience on my resume helped me when looking for part-time work,” she said.
This year, MYJC is operating out of eight hubs across the province, with locations in Morden, Brandon, Selkirk, Thompson, The Pas, Steinbach, St-Pierre Jolys and Flin Flon. Each centre supports the surrounding area through job fairs, community events, and tailored assistance.
The Morden office, located at 1-160 Stephen St. beside Service Canada, is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed from 12–1 p.m.). Youth can reach Nikkel at 204-870-2945 or by email at Annabella.nikkel@gov.mb.ca.
While the MYJC no longer directly places youth in jobs, the team helps build resumes, explore career paths and navigate online job boards. Participation in Odd Job Squad events — such as community clean-ups, freezie sales and car washes — provides early work experience and encourages youth to develop teamwork, customer service and time management skills.
“For those unsure what they want to do for school or work, we provide tools and guidance to help them explore their options,” Nikkel said. “And we’re located right inside the Manitoba Training and Employment Services building, so post-secondary students can also access additional supports.”
MYJC benefits the broader community too, by supporting local employers with job-ready candidates. Residents and businesses can also request help from Odd Job Squad participants for light tasks such as weeding, window washing or garden cleanup.
“Employers appreciate that today’s youth are tech-savvy, adaptable and eager to learn,” Nikkel added. “Giving them a chance helps build strong, community-minded workers for the future.”
With many students expressing interest last year but limited events available, Nikkel said her 2025 goal is to organize more Odd Job Squad events with a greater focus on community service.
“The more support and requests we get from the community, the more opportunities we can offer,” she said.
Youth interested in joining must complete an intake form and, if under 16, a parent consent form. A Social Insurance Number is required, and those planning to work outside the Odd Job Squad must also complete the Young Worker Readiness Certificate through SAFE Work Manitoba.
Nikkel encourages anyone considering their first job to stop by.
“Even if you already have a resume, we can help make it better,” she said. “Participating in just one event or volunteering can give you something to build on — and that can make all the difference.”
