First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Not-for-Profit Sector)

This program provides financial support to First Nations and Inuit communities, governments, organizations, and not-for-profit associations to facilitate employability and career development for youth. The funding modalities are designed to cover wage and employment-related costs based on the type of organization.

• Not-for-profit organizations are eligible to receive funding to cover up to 100% of wage costs and mandatory employment-related costs.
• Private sector employers are eligible to receive funding to cover up to 50% of wage costs and mandatory employment-related costs.

Eligible recipients include First Nations and Inuit communities, governments, and organizations, as well as not-for-profit associations, schools, and employers who can offer employment opportunities directly to youth or through agreements with private sector and non-profit sector employers.

• First Nations and Inuit governments and organizations
• First Nations schools or federal schools on reserve
• Not-for-profit associations
• Private sector employers
• Eligible youth participants:
• First Nations youth ordinarily resident on reserve or in a recognized community
• Inuit youth who are residents in Canada but reside outside their territory and are no longer eligible to be funded by their territory
• Youth legally entitled to work in Canada aged 15 to 30 at the start of the program’s activities
• Mentored work placements for youth who are not in school or are unemployed or underemployed
• Co-operative education placements for students in grades 7 to 12, or secondary 1 to secondary 5, enrolled in and attending a federal or band-operated school
• Youth younger than 15 years old for activities promoting careers and science and technology

Who is eligible?

Yes, there are eligible types of companies for the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program. The program eligible recipients include various organizations and employers that can provide employment opportunities for First Nations and Inuit youth.

• First Nations and Inuit governments and organizations
• First Nations schools or federal schools on reserve
• Not-for-profit associations
• Private sector employers

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant include wage costs and mandatory employment-related costs. Not-for-profit organizations may receive up to 100% coverage, and private sector employers may receive up to 50% coverage for these costs.

• Wage costs
• Mandatory employment-related costs

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Proposals are reviewed and approved by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Regional office or the First Nations or Inuit organization managing the program for their member communities.

• Meet the National First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy Skills Link Program guidelines
• Be gender-balanced
• Outline the activities to be undertaken and explain how they will meet the program's objectives
• Outline the results to be achieved by the project
• Demonstrate that the activities will provide assistance only to eligible participants
• Provide an estimate of eligible costs, including those assumed by partners

Here are some additional pieces of information about the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program:

• Eligible participants must be legally entitled to work in Canada and aged 15 to 30 at the start of the program’s activities.
• Mentored work placements are specifically for youth who are not in school or are unemployed or underemployed.
• Co-operative education placements target students in grades 7 to 12 or secondary 1 to secondary 5.
• Youth participating in activities promoting careers and science and technology may be younger than 15 years of age.
• Recipients who have access to the ISC services portal can access the proposal form by opening a session on the portal.
• Eligible recipients may provide employment opportunities directly to youth or collaborate with private sector and non-profit sector employers.
• Not-for-profit organizations can receive funding to cover up to 100% of wage costs and mandatory employment-related costs.
• Private sector employers can receive funding for up to 50% of wage costs and mandatory employment-related costs.
• To learn more or apply, contact your ISC Regional office or email pse-eps@sac-isc.gc.ca.