Open
Career Focus
Supports mentored work experiences for highly skilled youth
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
No Condition
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
Career-related work experiences for highly-skilled youth can be supported with funding covering up to 80% of eligible operating and delivery costs. Projects focus on mentored workplace experiences that build skills aligned with participants’ field of study or career goals.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Up to 80% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Career-related work experiences that provide employment experience and skills aligned with participants’ field of study or career goals
- Work experiences supported by workplace coaching and/or mentoring
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Municipal governments
- Aboriginal organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities)
- For-profit organizations
- Provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies and Crown Corporations
Eligible expenses
- Costs associated with operating approved activities
- Costs associated with delivering approved activities
Additional information
- Work experiences are normally at least six months and not more than twelve months.
- In rural and remote regions, an exception to the minimum participant requirement may be considered with strong justification in the proposal.
- The program promotes the benefits of advanced studies and helps highly-skilled youth transition into a changing labour market.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Career Focus Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Career Focus. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Career Focus?
Career-related work experiences for highly-skilled youth can be supported with funding covering up to 80% of eligible operating and delivery costs. Projects focus on mentored workplace experiences that build skills aligned with participants’ field of study or career goals.
How much funding can be received?
Career Focus Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Career Focus program?
To be eligible for the Career Focus program, you must:
Eligible organization type
Minimum 8 youth participants
Career-related work experiences with coaching/mentoring
What expenses are eligible under Career Focus?
Career-related work experiences that provide employment experience and skills aligned with participants’ field of study or career goals
Work experiences supported by workplace coaching and/or mentoring
Who can I contact for more information about the Career Focus?
You can contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) or by phone at 1-800-935-5555.
Where is the Career Focus available?
The Career Focus program is available across Canada.
Who are the financial supporters of the Career Focus?
Career Focus is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Service Canada
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