FESTQ - Student Funds 1 and 2

The FESTQ grant program is dedicated to fostering youth employment by supporting projects across diverse sectors, primarily focusing on hiring students from secondary, college, and university levels. By providing significant financial assistance and facilitating the development of entrepreneurial skills, FESTQ aims to enhance student employability and promote collective entrepreneurship.

FESTQ, or Fonds étudiant solidarité travail du Québec, is an innovative funding initiative designed to bridge the gap between education and employment for young Canadians. Through its two distinct funds, FESTQ I and FESTQ II, the program caters to a wide array of employment sectors, including private enterprises, social economy organizations, and cooperative ventures. Its primary aim is to enable employers from these sectors to propose projects that offer meaningful employment opportunities to students. These engagements are intended to supplement academic learning experiences with practical skill development in real-world environments, thereby improving long-term employability and fostering a culture of social responsibility and entrepreneurship among youth.

The grant process is structured in multiple phases, each carefully defined to ensure smooth execution and compliance. Employers interested in participating must initially submit a project proposal by specific deadlines, varying by sector. They are required to provide critical documentation to support their applications, such as business registry information in Quebec and financial statements. Upon successful submission and approval, employers proceed to the recruitment phase, wherein they select suitable student candidates who meet specific qualification requirements. The entire cycle concludes with the reimbursement request phase, where employers submit detailed payroll records to redeem financial support equivalent to a significant portion, up to 90%, of the wages paid to student employees.

FESTQ facilitates a unique opportunity for students to gain work experience during the academic break period from May to August. This timing allows students to immerse themselves in professional environments without compromising their studies. Moreover, the flexible remuneration structure, which includes a partial subsidy for wages, encourages employers to offer competitive hourly rates, thus attracting talented and motivated students. The program also ensures compliance with labor regulations by mandating employers to cover a portion of employment-related costs, such as insurance and social benefits, fostering a fair and lawful workplace atmosphere.

An integral component of the FESTQ II fund is its partnership with the COOP d’initiation à l’entrepreneuriat collectif (CIEC), aimed specifically at nurturing entrepreneurial skills among students. This segment of the program funds coordinator roles within CIECs, offering young individuals the chance to explore entrepreneurship actively through experiential learning and leadership roles. The CIEC initiative aligns with broader economic and social objectives by promoting collective enterprise models, thus contributing to the sustainable development of community-oriented businesses.

Additionally, FESTQ plays a pivotal role in stimulating regional economies by supporting a diverse range of projects, from agricultural cooperatives to social innovation initiatives. By engaging students in these enterprises, the grant not only enhances individual career prospects but also drives innovation and regeneration within participating communities. The strategic focus on sectors such as social economy and cooperative ventures underscores FESTQ's commitment to bolstering Quebec's socio-economic landscape while instilling values of solidarity and civic engagement in the younger generation.

The FESTQ initiative, through its comprehensive support system and strategic alignment with regional priorities, represents a critical investment in the future workforce of Quebec. Its emphasis on real-world skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility offers a robust platform for nurturing tomorrow's leaders. By participating in the FESTQ program, employers and educational institutions alike become active contributors to a resilient and forward-thinking labor market.