Student Training and Employment Program (STEP)

This grant provides wage subsidies to facilitate the employment of post-secondary students by eligible organizations in Yukon. The funding terms are designed to incentivize student employment while ensuring fair compensation and clear financial guidelines.

• Wage subsidy of $7.20 per hour provided for 450 to 600 hours of student employment.
• Employers must adhere to a minimum wage rate starting at $22.56 per hour for students, based on their completed year of post-secondary education.
• Employers may offer wages above the minimum set by the STEP wage scale.
• Final claims for wage reimbursements must be submitted by October 1, 2025.
• Third Party Liability Insurance coverage must be in place for employees under the program.
• If under a collective agreement, union consultation and agreement are required to hire a student.

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.

• The applicant must be one of the following entities: private-sector employer, non-government organization or agency, First Nation, municipal government, or a Government of Yukon department.
• The applicant must be legally entitled to operate a business in Yukon.
• The applicant must have an office in Yukon with a local contact person.
• The applicant must have been operating in Yukon for at least 1 year.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the STEP subsidy include private-sector employers, non-government organizations or agencies, First Nations, municipal governments, and Government of Yukon departments. Additionally, employers must be legally entitled to operate a business in Yukon, have an office in Yukon with a local contact person, and have been operating in Yukon for at least one year.

Who is not eligible

Some types of companies are not eligible for this grant:

• Public-sector employers
• Businesses not legally entitled to operate in Yukon
• Organizations without a local office and contact person in Yukon
• New businesses operating in Yukon for less than 1 year

Eligible expenses

The STEP subsidy assists with covering eligible expenses directly related to employing a post-secondary student for the summer.

• Wages paid to the student according to the STEP wage scale.
• Third Party Liability Insurance coverage cost for employees under the program.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies located in the Yukon, as specified by the eligibility requirements of the program. Eligible locations are integral to benefiting the local economy and ensuring opportunities for students in the region.

• Businesses legally entitled to operate in Yukon.
• Organizations with an office in Yukon with a local contact person.
• Entities that have been operating in Yukon for at least 1 year.

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant.

• Jobs should relate to a student’s field of study and benefit their future career.
• Guaranteed minimum of 450 hours of work with at least 32 hours per week.
• Employment period between May 1 and September 1.
• Pays based on the STEP wage scale.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• All employers must provide proof of Third Party Liability Insurance covering employees under the program.
• If a collective agreement exists, consultation with the union and written agreement to hire a student is required.
• The subsidy is capped at $7.20 per hour for 450 to 600 hours of employment.