Youth Employment and Skills Program
SK, Canada
Wage subsidy for agricultural organizations
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJanuary 27, 2025
- grant_single|closingDateFebruary 24, 2025
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
- Government of Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|openingSoon
grant_single_labels|preview
If you’re a producer or food processor who is in need of extra labour, get a subsidy to cover at least 50% of wages to a maximum of $14,000/employee, as well as $5,000/employee for relocation costs, when you hire youth to work on agricultural projects.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
The Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) provides structured financial support to facilitate youth employment, focusing particularly on youth facing barriers. The program includes specific provisions for salary and relocation expenses, structured to offer significant contributions based on the nature of the employment and the demographic of the employee.
- Funding covers 50% of wages up to a maximum of $14,000, aimed at standard employment situations.
- For Indigenous employers or those employing youth facing barriers, up to 80% of total eligible costs may be covered, with a cap of $14,000.
- Additional support, up to $5,000, is available to offset employment barriers, covering costs such as reasonable relocation expenses for youth facing barriers.
- For non-barrier youth, pre-approved relocation costs can be funded at 50%, up to $5,000.
- Cost sharing requires at least a 50% match from employers for non-barrier youth and at least 20% for youth facing barriers.
- Stacking of government funds is allowed, provided that total financing does not exceed 100% of the project's total cost.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports agricultural projects that provide youth with meaningful work experiences, facilitate career advancement, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Each project should engage youth in employment activities within the agricultural sector.
- Implementation of agricultural practices that provide hands-on experience for youth.
- Conducting projects that focus on sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly techniques.
- Enhancing operational efficiencies within agricultural settings through youth-driven initiatives.
- Providing career-related work experiences that meet the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada mandates.
- Ensuring compliance with the Impact Assessment Act through agricultural work.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 95,000
Hire and relocate young agricultural workers to support blueberry farm operations
$ 76,000
Support youth internships in aquaponics systems at FreshWater Farms
$ 76,000
Recruit and relocate youths for sustainable farming at EcoGrow Limited
$ 114,000
Employ disadvantaged youth to help with the harvest at GreenLeaf NPO
$ 57,000
Engage youth for organic vegetable production at UrbanGreen Cooperative
$ 38,000
Establish youth employment for maple syrup production at Sugar Maple Coop
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the Youth Employment and Skills Program requires that employers meet specific criteria regarding their organizational profile and the employment opportunities they can offer.
- The employer must be an agricultural-related organization capable of providing agriculture career-related work experiences and skills in Canada.
- The employer must be a legal entity capable of entering into legally binding agreements.
- The employer is responsible for hiring participants and verifying their eligibility for the Youth Employment and Skills Program activities.
- Wages and benefits must be paid in a timely manner and according to provincial/territorial labour laws and regulations.
- Wages must align with industry standards for the employee's region and be commensurate with their training and work experience.
- The employer must hire the employee under their organization's payroll and deduct the required source deductions.
- The employer cannot be both employer and employee in the project (e.g., a sole proprietor cannot hire themselves).
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants for the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) include agricultural-related organizations that can provide agriculture career-related work experiences and skills to youth within Canada. Furthermore, eligible employers must be legal entities that can enter into binding agreements, are responsible for hiring and verifying the eligibility of participants, and must comply with relevant labor laws and regulations. Employers hiring a youth facing barriers, Indigenous individuals or organizations are given priority and may receive enhanced funding support.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This program has constraints that exclude certain individuals and entities. The restrictions ensure the program benefits target eligible youth and employers effectively within the agricultural sector.
- Individuals holding temporary resident status, such as those on work or study visas.
- Family members of the employer for relocation, travel, or accommodation expenses.
- Sole proprietors hiring themselves for a project.
- Unauthorized contracted employees for wage claims.
- Employers not engaging in agricultural-related work experiences.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers specific expenses related to hiring and supporting youth under the program.
- Salaries and wages for eligible employees, in accordance with industry standards and regional norms.
- Social benefits including health benefits, vacation pay, and employer's contributions to CPP, EI, QPP, QPIP, CNESST, and the Health Services Fund.
- Pre-approved barrier-related expenses for youth facing employment barriers, covered at 80% up to a maximum of $5,000. Eligible expenses include critical transportation, relocation, assistance with dependents, accommodation needs, and accessibility equipment/technology.
- Pre-approved relocation costs for non-barrier youth at 50% funding level, up to a maximum of $5,000.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible geographical areas for the Youth Employment and Skills Program are not explicitly mentioned in the provided information, as the program appears to be open to agricultural-related organizations across Canada. Applicants are possibly influenced by the requirement to comply with Canadian standards and regulations only.
grant_single_labels|criteria
Evaluation and Selection Criteria for this grant are as follows: - The extent to which the application demonstrates a clear understanding of the project goals and objectives. - The potential impact of the project on the youth employed and the community. - The relevance of the project to addressing barriers faced by youth participants. - The feasibility and sustainability of the project. - The quality of the work plan and timeline for project implementation. - The budget and cost-effectiveness of the project. - The capacity of the applicant to successfully carry out the project. These criteria will be used to evaluate and select projects for funding under the Youth Employment and Skills Program.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to apply for the Youth Employment and Skills Program grant:
- Step 1: Complete the Application Form
- Ensure you have Adobe Reader 11 (or higher) to open the PDF forms if applying digitally.
- Complete the required Project Application Form (PDF).
- Gather necessary documents, such as Certificates or Articles of Incorporation or proof of legal entity status for Indigenous applicants.
- Step 2: Submit the Application
- Download, complete, and submit the Project Application Form (PDF) and required documents online for faster processing within 50 business days.
- Alternatively, submit via email to aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@agr.gc.ca, or by mail or fax using the following address:
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Youth Employment and Skills Program
- 301-2010 12th Avenue
- Regina SK S4P 0M3
- Fax: 306-780-7353
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Priority for the 2025–2026 program year will be given to Indigenous applicants, followed by all other first applications.
- Applications from Quebec-based organizations need to comply with the Province of Quebec's M-30 Act.
- All public information documents related to the project must be available in both official languages if required under the Official Languages Act.
- Confidential information in submissions must be clearly identified to ensure its protection as per the Access to Information Act.
- Funding decisions consider public policy and public interest considerations beyond simply meeting eligibility criteria.
grant_single_labels|contact
aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@agr.gc.ca
