Providing a paycheque for an unemployed young person is only part of the Canada Summer Jobs program’s purpose.
Teaching valuable skills through practical, on-the-job training is also paramount, employers learned at the Thorold Community Activity Group's information session on Friday.
In the past, only students could apply but new this year, all youth between age 15 and 30 are eligible to apply for funded jobs, a Service Canada representative announced at the CSJ information session, sponsored by Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey's office.
The application period to apply for funding through the CSJ program is now open, with a deadline of this Friday, Jan. 25, 2019.
Employers can apply online, by mail or in person. No faxes will be accepted. An applicant guide is available to help employers through the process, step-by-step.
Employers are encouraged to apply for grants, particularly those who provide opportunities in skilled trades, small businesses, and organizations which serve seniors, as well as those who serve rural and remote Canadian areas. Skills that are desirable include client services, teamwork, communication, and leadership. To be considered, workplaces must be inclusive and have a healthy environment.
Not for profit employers are eligible to receive up to 100 per cent of the minimum wage funding to hire youth, and up to 100 per cent of mandatory employment related costs. Public and private sector employers are eligible for up to 50 per cent of the minimum wage of $14 per hour. CPP, vacation pay, and workers’ compensation are not covered by grants.
The jobs provided must be for full-time work—from 30 to 40 hours a week—between April and September, 2019, and must be a minimum of six weeks in duration, to a maximum of 16 weeks in total.
Employers will be notified—whether or not their application was successful—by April of 2019. The earliest approved job start date is April 23, and the latest set at Sept. 1, 2019.
All approved jobs will be posted in a special CSJ category on the job bank website.
The site has seen 438,000 job searches since 2018.
New priorities for 2019 include hiring youth who face obstacles in the labour market, such as refugee youth, youth with disabilities, youth who have not finished high school, and those who have not previously been employed, as well as youth from the LGBTQ community.
International students are not eligible; only Canadian citizens and permanent residents, or youth who have refugee protection status and are legally entitled to work in Canada.
For more information on CSJ, including the eligibility criteria and application guide, visit here, a Service Canada office, or call 1-800-935-5555.
For information about Ontario Summer Jobs, contact 1-866-945-7342.
