How much funding can be received?

The First Jobs Fund in Manitoba was designed to support organizations aiming to hire youth facing employment barriers, particularly BIPOC youth, by developing job readiness activities and work experience initiatives. Organizations could apply for up to $225,000 to deliver programming that included employability skills, mentorship, job coaching, and life skills to youth participants.

grant_single_labels|projects

The First Jobs Fund in Manitoba supports youth employment initiatives focusing on equipping young individuals with employability skills and work experience. The activities aim to prepare them for a future career by providing essential training and job placement opportunities.

Intake process for reviewing service offerings and completing necessary forms.
Individualized case management and counselling to support youth in achieving employment goals.
Job search assistance to define employment goals, assess skills, and prepare application materials.
Job development, matching, and placement through wage-subsidized employment opportunities.
Short-term skills training to build employability skills.
Foundational skills training to improve literacy and language competencies.
Workshop sessions focused on developing employability skills.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for the First Jobs Fund requires organizations to meet specific criteria related to the type of organization and program activities.

The organization must be a registered non-profit or non-government organization.
If a private business is involved, it can only partner with a non-profit or NGO and cannot apply independently.
The organization must provide job opportunities to youth aged 15-29 facing barriers to employment, with emphasis on BIPOC youth.
Organizations must be implementing Truth and Reconciliation activities.
The projects must support key economic sectors or in-demand jobs.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant excludes certain companies and organizations due to their status or main activity. The restrictions ensure that funds are allocated to entities capable of providing first job experiences to youth in need.

Private businesses applying independently without partnership with a non-profit or NGO.
Federal and Provincial government departments, agencies and Crown corporations.
Organizations hiring immediate relatives of the owner, hiring authority, or any director.
Individuals who are owners, part-owners, or board members of the applicant organization.
Self-employed individuals, independent contractors, sub-contractors, independent commission salespersons, individuals involved in one-on-one personal services, or those paid on a piece-work basis.
Employees currently approved/participating in another provincial or federal wage incentive program.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

There is no specific mention of eligible expenses in the provided context.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is targeted at organizations situated in Manitoba, Canada, to support regional employment and economic initiatives. Eligible programming includes serving youth in various Manitoba communities, emphasizing rural and northern locales.

Organizations located within the province of Manitoba.
Services offered to youth in rural communities in Manitoba.
Programs operating in northern regions of Manitoba.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the First Jobs Fund are conducted through a two-phase process focused on meeting basic eligibility and specific assessment criteria to align with the program's objectives.

Experience: The organization must demonstrate background, knowledge, expertise, and capacity to deliver the proposed programming to youth clients.
Project Activities: Activities must be clearly outlined to support youth in gaining employability skills and work experience.
Project Outcomes: Clearly stated, realistic, and measurable outcomes are expected for the project's success.
Project Costs: Costs should be clearly outlined with budget items aligning with project activities, assessed based on requested funds and number of clients served.
Priority: Priority is given to projects targeting youth with multiple barriers to employment, including paid work experience opportunities, addressing Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, providing skills for in-demand jobs or key economic sectors, and offering services in rural or northern communities.

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Ensure Eligibility
Verify that your organization meets all program eligibility criteria, including being a non-profit or NGO, focusing on youth employment barriers, and engaging in Truth and Reconciliation activities.
Step 2: Application Form and Budget
Complete the First Jobs Fund application form accurately, ensuring all necessary sections are filled out.
Prepare a detailed project budget aligned with the proposed activities.
Step 3: Read Application Guidelines
Review the application guidelines thoroughly to understand the definitions, instructions, and other critical information for completing your application.
Step 4: Submit Application
Submit the completed application form and project budget by the specified deadline.
Step 5: Confirmation of Submission
After submission, confirm receipt with the program contacts or through the designated submission portal if applicable.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The funded positions should not cause any layoffs, reduction of hours, or dismissal of current employees within the organization.
Work experience placements are only for new employees and not for previously hired youth, and retroactive support is not eligible.
The positions funded by the First Jobs Fund must not be concurrently funded by other federal, provincial, or municipal employment programs.
Employers participating in the program must provide ongoing performance feedback and an end-of-term evaluation to the youth employees.
Organizations need to use the Manitoba government Service Provider Reporting System (SPRS) for capturing program outputs and outcomes, along with monthly financial reporting of program expenses.

grant_single_labels|contact

youthpartnerships@gov.mb.ca

Apply to this program

Empowering Youth with the First Jobs Fund

The First Jobs Fund, once open, provided vital support to Manitoba organizations aiming to employ youth aged 15 to 29, especially those facing employment barriers, emphasizing BIPOC youth. This program uniquely combined job readiness activities with substantial work experience to prepare young individuals for successful career paths.

In-Depth Exploration of the First Jobs Fund Benefits and Structure

The First Jobs Fund was an initiative designed to bridge the gap between youth needing their first employment experiences and organizations willing to support them. Focused on Manitoba's youth, particularly those from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) backgrounds, this initiative aimed to address systemic barriers by offering comprehensive employment programming. The program mandated a blend of job readiness activities and direct work experience, ensuring participating youth not only gained employability skills but also substantial practical experience within their chosen fields.

Organizations eligible for this fund were primarily non-profits and NGOs, or private businesses collaborating with these entities, reflecting a commitment to addressing social and economic disparities. In particular, the program encouraged the incorporation of Truth and Reconciliation activities, fostering both employment opportunities and cultural awareness.

Employability was enhanced through tailored workshops focusing on foundational skills such as literacy and language, employability skills, and short-term training tailored to industry demands. Such activities were essential in equipping youth with the necessary tools to navigate Manitoba's labor market effectively. The structured approach not only facilitated immediate job placement but also ensured long-term career readiness by embedding critical skills required by employers.

The fund supported initiatives targeting key economic sectors experiencing job demand, thus aligning youth skills with market needs. By doing so, not only were employment gaps addressed, but economic development within Manitoba was bolstered. A significant feature of this program was the wage subsidy, ensuring youth could benefit from paid work experience, which is critical in breaking cycles of poverty and unemployment.

Monitoring and reporting were integral to the fund's operations, with participating organizations required to use the Manitoba government’s Service Provider Reporting System. This ensured transparency and accountability, allowing for accurate assessment of program impacts and adjustments to maximize benefit.

Importantly, work placements under this program could not displace existing employees or reduce the hours of current staff, guaranteeing that job creation was genuine and sustainable. The emphasis was very much on supporting new employment pathways without negatively impacting the existing workforce.

Furthermore, this fund recognized the specific challenges faced by youth in rural and northern communities. By prioritizing support for these areas, the fund sought to level the playing field, ensuring all Manitoba youth could access meaningful employment opportunities regardless of their geographical location.

The First Jobs Fund stood as a testament to Manitoba's dedication to youth empowerment through strategic employment interventions. By supporting projects with up to $225,000, the province invested in building a future workforce skilled, resilient, and ready to contribute meaningfully to the economy and society at large. This initiative highlighted the province's acknowledgment of youth potential as a driving force for more inclusive and diverse economic growth.