ECO Canada — Digital Skills for Youth

The Digital Skills for Youth program provides wage subsidies for employers hiring young professionals to support workforce development in the environmental digital skills sector. It is designed to relieve the financial burden on small and medium-sized businesses.

• Up to 80% wage coverage for eligible placements.
• Funding cap of $18,000 per candidate for placements lasting between 3 to 12 months, full-time or part-time.

Eligibility for this grant varies depending on the specific program, with specific requirements for each.

• Eligible employers for the Youth in Natural Resources program can receive 75% wage coverage up to $20,000, or 75% up to $30,000 when hiring indigenous youth, persons with disabilities, or persons living in rural or remote locations.
• Eligible employers for the Student Work Placement (Co-op) must provide a new full or part-time 6 to 16 week position with a minimum of 180 hours and can receive 50% wage coverage up to $5,000.
• Eligible employers for the Digital Skills for Youth program must be small to medium-sized businesses with fewer than 500 staff, offering a minimum 3 to 12 month full-time or part-time placement, and can receive 80% wage coverage up to $18,000.
• Eligible employers for the Science Horizons Youth Internship program can receive up to 80% wage coverage up to $25,000 for a new full-time 6 to 12 month position.

Who is eligible?

Who is not eligible

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

Eligible expenses

The ECO Employment Programs offer various initiatives designed to promote skill development and job placement in the environmental sector. These programs provide funding for employers to cover a portion of wages for young professionals and students gaining valuable work experience in their respective fields.

• Youth in Natural Resources: Training and funding for youth in natural resources roles.
• Student Work Placement: Wage coverage for student placements in relevant fields.
• Digital Skills For Youth: Training and funding for young professionals in digital environmental roles.
• Science Horizons Youth Internship: Support for young professionals in STEM-focused environmental positions.

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.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• Employers interested in these programs are encouraged to compare the available options to determine the best fit for their needs and goals.
• Funding is primarily aimed at stimulating career pathways within the environmental sector and enhancing digital skills among youth.
• Some programs focus specifically on assisting underrepresented groups such as Indigenous youth, individuals with disabilities, or those living in rural or remote areas.
• Programs are designed to help employers reduce initial staffing costs while providing meaningful work experiences for young professionals and students.
• Partners involved in providing these programs include post-secondary institutions, enhancing the alignment between education and job market needs.
• The continued development of the French version of the program's website indicates a commitment to broader accessibility and engagement.