Digital Skills Internships
Canada
The Digital Skills for Youth Program offers wage subsidies and training to help underemployed post-secondary graduates gain valuable digital skills and career-oriented experience.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- Communautique
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Digital Skills for Youth Program provides a wage subsidy to employers for hiring recent post-secondary graduates, aiming to enhance their digital skills and transition them to career-oriented employment. Eligible activities include software and video game development, network troubleshooting, website development, and social media campaign creation. The program supports small and medium-sized for-profit and non-profit organizations in Canada looking to engage in digital activities.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, there are several projects or activities eligible for this grant.
- Software and video game development
- Application coding and development
- Network troubleshooting
- Adaptive technologies
- Website development
- Online learning
- Social media campaign and other content development
- Digital manufacturing
grant_single_labels|admissibility
This grant aims to provide a wage subsidy to employers who hire underemployed recent post-secondary graduates and support their training to develop digital and non-technical skills. Eligible employers must be able to offer internships that improve the interns’ digital skills and meet specific conditions.
- Be a for-profit or not-for-profit organization with fewer than 500 employees.
- Have legal status in Canada.
- Offer internships that will improve interns’ digital skills.
- Provide valid employment opportunities related to digital activities.
- Have the appropriate administrative support and capacity to train, guide, and supervise participants.
- Promote the digitization of business or operational processes.
- Advertise externally for internships and use an open, equitable, and transparent recruitment process.
- Establish a skill development plan with the intern to give them significant work experience.
- Identify a mentor for each intern who offers professional advice, supports skill development, and helps establish a network of contacts.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible companies for this grant include for-profit and not-for-profit organizations with fewer than 500 employees and legal status in Canada. These companies must provide internships related to digital activities that enhance the digital skills of the interns.
- For-profit organizations with fewer than 500 employees
- Not-for-profit organizations with fewer than 500 employees
- Organizations with legal status in Canada
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The wage subsidy is an eligible expense for this grant, covering up to a maximum amount equal to 100% of the wages and social benefits.
- The maximum contribution for the internship is $21,500.
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria ensure that employers are capable of providing meaningful internships related to digital activities while following equitable and transparent recruitment processes.
- The employer is a for-profit or not-for-profit organization with fewer than 500 employees and legal status in Canada.
- The employer can provide valid job opportunities related to digital activities.
- The position and planned internship content are aligned with the program objectives.
- The employer can provide the appropriate administrative support and has the capacity to train and supervise the interns to improve and optimize their experience.
- The employer has the capacity to help the interns plan and carry out professional activities that will give them the benefit of a useful internship.
- The employer can promote the digitization of its business or operational processes.
- The employer uses an open, equitable and transparent recruitment process.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Ensure Eligibility
- Verify that your organization is either a for-profit or not-for-profit with fewer than 500 employees and has legal status in Canada.
- Confirm that the position you are offering is related to digital activities and aligns with the program objectives.
- Ensure you are capable of providing administrative support and training to the interns.
- Step 2: Prepare Required Documentation
- Gather all necessary information to demonstrate that your organization can provide a valuable internship experience, including details about the job role, training plans, and mentorship strategies.
- Step 3: Advertise the Internship Position
- Advertise the internship position externally following a fair, open, and transparent recruitment process.
- Ensure compliance with employment equity by considering women, indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, and official language minorities in the recruitment process.
- Step 4: Submit Application Form
- Complete the online application form to apply for the subsidy.
- Submit the application form online through the designated platform provided by the grant organizers.
- Step 5: Await Communication
- Wait for confirmation and communication from the grant organizers regarding the status of your application.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The program is specifically designed to support employers in helping interns gain valuable digital skills and promote their own digitization efforts.
- Employers must recruit and hire interns through a fair, open, and transparent process.
- Special attention must be given to employment equity, focusing on women, indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, and official language minorities.
- The employer must provide necessary equipment and office space for the interns.
- An internal mentor must be assigned to offer career guidance and support to the interns.
- Communautique will offer ongoing support and conduct a four-part assessment of the internship.
- The program includes an advanced training component during the internship hours.
- Application for the subsidy must be submitted online through the specified form.
grant_single_labels|contact
cnj@communautique.quebec
Apply to this program
Summary of the Digital Skills for Youth Program
The Digital Skills for Youth Program provides a wage subsidy to Canadian employers who offer internships to underemployed recent post-secondary graduates. The goal is to help these graduates gain meaningful work experience and develop new or improved digital skills.
Detailed Guide to the Digital Skills for Youth Program
The Digital Skills for Youth Program is a Canadian initiative designed to support both organizations and recent post-secondary graduates by offering wage subsidies for internships that center on the development of digital skills. This comprehensive guide aims to explore every aspect of the program—from eligibility criteria to the application process—in detail.
Introduction
In today's rapidly changing digital landscape, skilled personnel is critical for ensuring competitive advantage. Recognizing this, the Digital Skills for Youth Program offers a confluence of opportunities for both employers and young professionals. By leveraging this program, organizations can access new talent while contributing to the professional development of underemployed graduates.
Purpose of the Program
The program aims to provide meaningful work experiences that ease the transition of recent graduates into career-oriented roles. It focuses on enhancing both technical and non-technical skills through internships, bolstering employability, and closing skill gaps in the Canadian workforce.
Benefits for Employers
Organizations that participate in the Digital Skills for Youth Program can substantially benefit in several ways:
- Wage Subsidy: The program offers a wage subsidy that can cover up to 100% of the intern's wages and benefits, capped at $21,500 per intern. This can significantly reduce the financial burden on the employer.
- Skilled Workforce: Employers get access to a pool of recent graduates who are eager to gain meaningful work experience, potentially becoming valuable long-term team members.
- Support in Training: The program backs the training of interns, focusing on developing both digital and non-digital competencies such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.
- Operational Digitization: By employing interns focused on digital skills, organizations can advance their digital transformation initiatives, gaining a competitive edge in the market.
Eligibility Criteria for Employers
Eligible employers must meet the following criteria:
- Be a for-profit or not-for-profit organization with legal status in Canada.
- Have 500 employees or fewer.
- Capable of providing internships that improve interns’ digital skills.
- Possess the administrative capacity to train, guide, and supervise interns.
Intern Eligibility Criteria
Interns must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the program:
- Be aged between 15 and 30 at the start of the internship.
- Have completed post-secondary education.
- Have the legal right to work in Canada.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person with refugee status.
- Not be receiving employment insurance benefits during the internship.
- Self-assess as underemployed (working part-time or in a job below their education level).
Internship Focus Areas
The program supports a wide range of digital activities, including but not limited to:
- Software and video game development
- Application coding and development
- Network troubleshooting
- Adaptive technologies
- Website development
- Online learning
- Social media campaign and content development
- Digital manufacturing
Mentorship Responsibilities
Mentorship is a key component of the Digital Skills for Youth Program. Participating employers are required to designate a mentor for each intern. The mentor's responsibilities include:
- Offering advice about professional advancement.
- Providing guidance on specific career-related skills.
- Helping interns establish a professional network.
- Coaching on job search skills, interview techniques, and career management.
Funding Conditions
The wage subsidy is capped at $21,500 per intern and can cover up to 100% of wages and social benefits. The subsidy amount is based on the lowest regional wage for the position. Internships must be completed by March 31, 2025. The selection process includes initial, mid-term, and final assessments of both the intern and the mentor.
Employer Obligations and Hiring Process
Employers must adhere to fair, open, and transparent recruitment processes while ensuring employment equity. This involves promoting diversity by paying attention to the hiring of women, indigenous people, racialized individuals, people with disabilities, and official language minorities.
Employers are responsible for:
- Recruiting and hiring interns through external advertisement.
- Providing necessary equipment and workspace.
- Creating a skill development plan in collaboration with the intern.
- Ensuring the intern participates in an advanced training program provided by Communautique.
Support from Communautique
Communautique plays a crucial role in the Digital Skills for Youth Program by offering continued support to both employers and interns. This includes:
- Answering questions and addressing workplace challenges.
- Conducting four-part assessments—initial, mid-term, and final evaluations for both interns and mentors.
Employer Selection Process
Employers interested in the program are subjected to a selection process based on several criteria:
- The organization must have fewer than 500 employees and legal status in Canada.
- The job opportunities offered should align with digital activities outlined in the program.
- The employer must possess the administrative capacity to train and supervise interns.
- An equitable, open, and transparent recruitment process must be in place.
Application Deadline and Submission Process
The Digital Skills for Youth Program has specific deadlines. Employers interested in applying must complete an online form and await confirmation from the program administrators. For any further inquiries, they can reach out to Communautique for detailed guidance.
Conclusion
The Digital Skills for Youth Program serves as an invaluable opportunity for both Canadian employers and recent graduates. By fostering an environment that promotes skill development and professional growth, the program aims to contribute to Canada's digital economy significantly. Employers can harness the talents of a new generation of professionals, and graduates can gain crucial work experience, creating a win-win scenario for all involved.