How much funding can be received?

Get up to $18,000 to cover up to 75% of wages when you hire a professional under age 30 for full-time employment in an environmental position related to STEM (Energy, Forestry, Minerals/Metals, Earth Sciences).

grant_single_labels|projects

There are eligible projects and activities for this grant:

Employing first-year Red Seal trade apprentices with wage subsidies
Providing work placements for youth in natural resources with wage coverage
Offering co-op opportunities for students in environmental fields
Supporting job growth in the clean economy with wage subsidies
Helping youth find permanent positions through environmental employability pathways
Training and funding young professionals in STEM fields through the Science Horizons program
Assisting newcomers to Canada in finding relevant work experiences
Providing training in digital environmental skills for youth through wage coverage

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$18,000

Supporting job growth for recent graduates in the clean energy sector

$18,000

Hiring a youth to support forest conservation and restoration projects

$18,000

Offering digital environmental skills training for youth through wage coverage

$18,000

Training young professionals in Earth Sciences through Science Horizons program

$16,500

Creating co-op opportunities for environmental science students

$17,250

Employing newcomers to Canada in mineral exploration projects

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for participation in the ECO Canada employment programs requires companies to meet specific criteria according to each program.

Employers looking to hire youth aged 15-30 for the Youth in Natural Resources program.
Employers partnering with post-secondary institutions for the Student Work Placement (Co-op) program.
Small to medium-sized businesses (with less than 500 staff) for the Digital Skills for Youth program.
Eligibility for the Science Horizons Youth Internship program includes a focus on STEM roles in the environmental sector.
Employers looking to hire newcomers to Canada for the Environmental Foreign Talent Development Program (when open).
Employers looking to expand talent in roles related to habitat restoration, watershed restoration, well reclamation, and regenerative agriculture for the Nature-Based Climate Solutions Program (when open).
Small and medium-sized businesses hiring youth for the Environmental Employability Pathways program (when open).
Employers interested in growing talent in the clean economy for the Environmental Jobs Growth Program (when open).

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Eligible employers under these programs typically include organizations looking to hire youth, students, or recent graduates, particularly for roles that enhance environmental skills, digital skills, or other industry-related competencies. Specific eligibility criteria vary by program, often focusing on the employer's capacity to provide relevant work experience and whether they fall within certain business sizes (e.g., small to medium-sized enterprises for Digital Skills for Youth). Availability also extends to employers supporting indigenous youth, persons with disabilities, and positions in rural or remote locations.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

There are certain types of companies that are not eligible for this grant:

Companies with over 500 employees.
Companies outside the specified industry sectors.
Companies not based in Canada.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

This grant program offers employment opportunities and subsidies focusing on the environmental sector and skill development across various fields.

Youth training and experience enhancement in the natural resources sector.
Student work placements aligned with their academic studies, in environmental fields.
Digital skills development for youth entering the environmental digital sector.
Internships providing STEM experience within the environmental sector.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The grant covers a portion of wage expenses for eligible placements across various programs.

Up to 75% of wages for Youth in Natural Resources placements, with a maximum coverage of $20,000 or $30,000 for eligible individuals, such as indigenous youth, persons with disabilities, or those from rural areas.
50% wage coverage up to $5,000 for Student Work Placement (Co-op) programs.
80% wage coverage up to $18,000 for Digital Skills for Youth placements in small to medium-sized businesses.
Up to 80% wage coverage up to $25,000 for Science Horizons Youth Internship placements in the environmental sector.
75% wage coverage up to $15,000 for the Environmental Foreign Talent Development Program placements for newcomers to Canada.
$4,500 wage subsidy for the Nature-Based Climate Solutions Program placements.
50% wage coverage up to $12,000 for the Environmental Employability Pathways Program.
Up to $18,750 for the Environmental Jobs Growth Program placements.

grant_single_labels|criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for the grant. Eligible employers and candidates must meet specific requirements to qualify for the program:

Employers must be in the environmental sector and meet the program's size criteria.
Candidates must be in the specified age range and pursuing relevant fields of study.
Employers and candidates need to adhere to the program's wage coverage and placement duration guidelines.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Complete the Application Form
- Visit the official ECO Canada website to access the grant application form.
- Fill in all required details including organization information and the program you are applying for.
Step 2: Review Eligibility Criteria
- Ensure your organization and the job candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the chosen program.
Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents
- Gather necessary documents such as proof of business registration, candidate résumés, and any other required certifications.
Step 4: Submit the Application
- Upload completed application form and all supporting documents through the specified submission portal on the ECO Canada website.
- Verify all information for accuracy and completeness before final submission.
Step 5: Await Confirmation
- Receive confirmation of application receipt via email.
- Keep this confirmation for your records.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Each program has its own unique set of eligibility requirements for both employers and job candidates.
The programs not only offer wage coverage but also emphasize the importance of skill development and career pathway creation in the environmental sector.
Employers can benefit from reduced initial wage and training costs when hiring new talent through these programs.
These funding programs have successfully enabled over 14,000 job placements to date.
Programs are supported by various funding partners, indicating a strong backing and reliable source of funding.
Multiple programs cater to different aspects of the environmental sector, such as digital skills, science, and natural resources.
Programs are designed to support young practitioners, including Indigenous youth, persons with disabilities, and those living in rural or remote areas.

grant_single_labels|documents

ECO Canada — Youth Employment in Natural Resources YNR

Apply to this program

Elevate Your Environmental Career with ECO Canada's Wage Funding Programs

ECO Canada's employment programs provide significant wage funding to stimulate environmental career paths, skill development, and business growth. These programs assist employers by reducing initial wage and training costs, thereby attracting new talent while offering meaningful work experience to young practitioners and students.

Dive Deeper Into ECO Canada’s Employment and Training Programs

ECO Canada remains at the forefront of fostering environmental careers, offering targeted wage funding and training programs that align with the ever-evolving needs of the Canadian workforce. With a commitment to facilitating skill development in burgeoning environmental sectors, these programs are designed to establish robust career pathways for youth, energize business growth, and support workforce advancement.

The overarching mission is to address pressing workforce challenges by enabling businesses to attract talent at reduced financial risk, while also empowering participants such as young practitioners, students, and underrepresented groups to gain critical experience. Each unique program under this initiative targets specific demographics and sectors, fostering diversity and inclusivity within the environmental domain.

The Youth in Natural Resources program, for instance, is key in equipping young candidates with the necessary skills and experience in the natural resources sector. This program principally supports employers through substantial wage subsidies, lowering employment costs significantly and making it feasible for businesses to onboard new talent who are ready to tackle environmental challenges.

Similarly, the Student Work Placement (Co-op) aims to bridge the educational and professional gap for post-secondary students by facilitating co-op placements that closely align with their field of study. This not only benefits the employers by bringing fresh perspectives into the company but also ensures students gain hands-on experience.

In today's data-driven world, the Digital Skills for Youth program serves as a beacon for young professionals aiming to carve out niches in the intersection of environmental science and digital technology. By subsidizing substantial portions of their wages, this program alleviates the burden on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), enabling them to invest in digital innovation without the hefty price tag.

The Science Horizons Youth Internship further exemplifies ECO Canada’s commitment to fostering expertise in the environmental sciences and STEM fields. By providing extensive wage support, this initiative allows young professionals to delve into careers that are pivotal to environmental stewardship, supporting the transition into full-fledged employment within the sector.

These programs not only diversify opportunities for the Canadian youth but also enrich the talent pool available for businesses across sectors. They ensure that participation in the sustainable economy is widespread, accessible, and effective, facilitating a seamless transition from academic environments to professional landscapes.

ECO Canada's initiatives have distributed over $144 million in subsidies, significantly impacting over 14,000 job placements. Such achievements underscore the crucial role these programs play in shaping the future workforce, nurturing a generation of professionals equipped to address the environmental challenges of tomorrow.

The importance of these programs is further accentuated by their adaptability; they cater to a range of needs from natural resources to digital innovation and STEM, ensuring that participants and employers derive maximum benefit from their involvement. Beyond individual and corporate growth, these programs aim to fortify the Canadian economy through strategic workforce improvements and increased employment rates in high-demand sectors.