Get funding up to $18 000 to cover up to 80% of the cost of wages & training of an intern's salary for an environmental job of at least 3 months, requiring digital abilities.

Eligibility criteria

The Youth in Natural Resources program helps train and fund youth (aged 15 to 30) looking to transition into or gain experience within the natural resources field. Eligible employers can receive 75% of the candidate’s wages covered up to a maximum of $18,000 for placements of up to 12 months.

Aged 15 to 30
Employers can receive 75% of the candidate’s wages covered up to a maximum of $18,000
Placements of up to 12 months

Who is eligible

There are eligible types of companies for this grant. Small and medium-sized businesses (< 500 staff) are eligible to participate in the program. Eligible companies must meet the size criteria to qualify for the funding.

Small businesses
Medium-sized businesses

Who is not eligible

There is no specific mention of ineligible company types in the grant context.

Eligible expenses

There are eligible expenses for this grant. Employers can receive funding to cover a portion of the candidate's salary for a specified duration. Eligible expenses include:

Wage subsidy for new or vacant full or part-time positions
Training costs for young professionals
Support for transitioning youth into the natural resources field

Evaluation & selection criteria

The Youth in Natural Resources program has specific evaluation and selection criteria that determine eligibility for both employers and job candidates:

Employers must be able to offer placements related to natural resources and can receive funding to cover 75% of the candidate’s wages up to $18,000 for up to 12 months.
Job candidates, aged 15 to 30, should be seeking to transition into or gain experience within the natural resources field.

How to apply

Step 1: Visit the ECO Employment Programs website
Step 2: Select the specific program you are interested in applying for
Step 3: Review the eligibility requirements for both employers and job candidates
Step 4: Fill out the application form to get started
Step 5: Wait for the program administrators to review your application
Step 6: If approved, follow the further instructions provided for participation

Documents and links

ECO Canada — Digital Skills for Youth

Apply to this program

Grant Summary:

This grant program offers various employment programs that provide funding for environmental career pathways, skill development, business growth, and workforce support. Employers can benefit from wage and training subsidies to attract new talent and save costs, while individuals can kickstart their careers and gain valuable work experience.

Grant Description:

ECO Employment Programs aim to facilitate environmental career pathways, skill development, business growth, and workforce advancement through wage and training funding. These programs are designed to help employers attract new talent, reduce initial wage and training costs, and support individuals in advancing their careers in the environmental sector.

One of the key programs offered is the Digital Skills for Youth, which provides training for young professionals with post-secondary education in the environmental digital skills sector. Eligible employers of small to medium-sized businesses can receive up to 80% wage coverage up to $18,000 for a minimum 3 to 12-month full-time or part-time placement.

Another program, Student Work Placement (Co-op), partners with post-secondary institutions to help students find work placements within their field of study. Eligible employers can receive 50% wage coverage up to $5,000 of a student’s salary for a placement in a new full or part-time 6 to 16 week position with a minimum of 180 hours.

The Youth in Natural Resources program is geared towards training and funding youth (aged 15 to 30) who are looking to transition into or gain experience in the natural resources field. Eligible employers can have 75% of the candidate’s wages covered, up to a maximum of $18,000 for placements lasting up to 12 months.

The Environmental Jobs Growth Program focuses on assisting employers in growing, developing, and diversifying their environmental talent pool. Eligible employers can receive funding of up to $18,750 of a candidate's salary for placements in new or vacant full or part-time positions lasting 6 to 12 months.

The Science Horizons Youth Internship program provides training and funding for young professionals with post-secondary education to transition or gain experience in the environmental sector, particularly focusing on STEM fields. Employers can benefit from up to 80% wage coverage of up to $25,000 for a new full-time 6 to 12-month position.

Additionally, the grant includes programs like the Environmental Employability Pathways for youth aged 15 to 30 to navigate the labour market and find permanent positions, and the Environmental Foreign Talent Development Program to assist newcomers to Canada in finding work aligned with their international experience.

With various programs catering to different needs within the environmental sector, ECO Employment Programs strive to support both employers and job seekers in advancing careers, gaining experience, and contributing to the clean economy.