Graduate Mentorship Program — For Employers
Overview
Get a subsidy when you hire a post-secondary graduate who may not possess the requisite work experience required for the role, for a duration of 52 weeks.
At a glance
Funding available
- Improve employee retention
- Develop employee skills
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Open Date : September 27, 2023
Eligible candidates
- All industries
- Prince Edward Island
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
- Social economy enterprise
- All revenue ranges
- All organization sizes
- All groups
- Higher Education
- Employment and Training
- Young adults
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Academia / students
- All structures
- Municipal
- Provincial
Activities funded
The Graduate Mentorship Program funds activities that support the integration of recent graduates into the workforce through structured mentorship. The initiative aims to provide substantial work experience that aligns with the graduates' academic background.
- Creation of mentorship plans that outline training and feedback processes for new employees.
- Development of job descriptions and timelines for employee training activities.
- Implementation of sustainability strategies to retain employees after the subsidy period.
Eligibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements for employers looking to participate in the Graduate Mentorship Program.
- Registered private sector businesses.
- Organizations.
- Municipalities.
- Band/tribal councils.
- Public health and educational institutions.
Who is eligible?
Eligible employers include registered private sector businesses, organizations, municipalities, band/tribal councils, and public health and educational institutions. Eligible employees must be unemployed recent graduates within the last five years, seeking full-time employment, and legally authorized to work in Canada as citizens or permanent residents.Who is not eligible
Some types of companies are not eligible for this grant. These include:
- Financial institutions
- Gambling establishments
- Illegal businesses
Eligible expenses
The Graduate Mentorship Program supports employment opportunities specifically designed to assist unemployed recent graduates in gaining industry-relevant experience. Activities eligible for this grant must focus on providing mentorship and developing practical skills for new graduates.
- Creation and execution of a detailed mentorship plan for a new graduate, including ongoing feedback and training opportunities.
- Development and detailing of a comprehensive job description that aligns with the graduate's field of study and includes timelines for training activities.
- Formulation of a sustainability plan to retain the graduate after the subsidy period ends.
Eligible geographic areas
This program is funded through the Canada-PEI labour market agreements, indicating its regional focus is on Prince Edward Island. Eligible businesses should therefore be located within Prince Edward Island to align with the program's objectives.
- Businesses operating within Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Selection criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant.
- Relevance of the project to the grant objectives
- Feasibility and potential impact of the project
- Budget justification and financial need
- Past performance and experience of the applicant
- Clear and well-defined project plan
How to apply
Complete Application Form
Prepare Supporting Documents
- Create a detailed job description including job duties, education requirements, and timelines for training activities for the new employee.
- Develop a detailed mentorship plan specifying the name and position of the mentor, feedback process, training opportunities, and the potential benefits for the graduate.
- Describe the business or company profile and the location of the activity.
- Formulate a sustainability plan to maintain the new employee after the subsidy period.
Submit Application and Documents
- Email the completed application form and all supporting documents to skillspei@gov.pe.ca.
- Alternatively, drop off the application and documents at your local SkillsPEI office.
Wait for Application Review
- SkillsPEI will review the application upon submission.
- A Program Officer will contact you within a few days to discuss your application.
Approval Confirmation
- Await confirmation from SkillsPEI that your application has been approved.
- Ensure not to start employment of the new employee before receiving approval.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The wage subsidy provided by SkillsPEI covers up to 50% of the wages, with a maximum limit of $10.00 per hour during the training period.
- The Employer is responsible for covering mandatory employment-related costs, including CPP, EI, and ensuring proper Worker’s Compensation coverage for the participant.
- Once confirmed approval for the Graduate Mentorship Program is received, employment can commence; employment should not begin prior to approval to qualify for the subsidy.
- There is no specific deadline for applications as they are accepted on an ongoing basis.
- The wage rate paid to the participant must be suitable for the targeted occupation and will be assessed with reference to relevant sources such as the National Occupation Profiles and Job Bank for PEI wages.
