The agriculture sector is getting some help to employ young people.
The federal government's providing about $13.5 million to support a new application intake under the Youth Employment and Skills Program.
It'll support about 1,200 jobs.
The government will pay agricultural employers up to half of employees' wages up to a maximum of $14,000 if they hire Canadian youth.
Employers that hire youth facing employment barriers will be eligible for 80% of the cost of salaries and benefits (to a maximum of $14,000) and may be eligible for an additional $5,000 to address specific obstacles to employment.
The program supports the following employees:
- Indigenous;
- youth living with a disability – including physical, mental health related or learning disability;
- racialized youth;
- recent newcomers to Canada (within 5 years);
- single parent;
- living in a low income household;
- individual who left high school;
- residing in a remote, northern and/or fly-in community;
- living in an Official Language Minority Community; and
- 2SLGBTQQIA+.
Applications are open between February 26, 2024 and March 25, 2024 for their project to be considered. Applications from Indigenous employers will be prioritized for the 2024-2025 program year. Application forms for the YESP are available through the webpage. For additional information, contact Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada by email aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@canada.ca or by calling 1-866-452-5558.