One of Canada’s largest wage subsidy initiatives is the federal government’s annual Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program. This program provides up to 50%-100% of an employee’s wage for full-time work for 6 to 16 weeks. This program is extremely popular and exhausts its funding each year. Many employers learn too late about this program, as they should apply in December or January with their eligible positions and candidates in mind. This year’s application deadline closed on January 10, 2024.
If you plan to hire a youth during this season but missed the application window for Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program, there are still Canadian federal and provincial wage subsidies available.
This article will cover some of the top wage subsidy, grant, and tax credit programs that can support your labor costs for eligible positions and projects.
Top Youth Wage Subsidies:
IRAP Youth Employment Program (YEP) – Canada-Wide
If your business is conducting innovative research and development, you may be eligible for wage support for young Canadians with post-secondary degrees through the Youth Employment Program (YEP). Graduates may be funded based on a variety of factors including business development, technological advancement, customer service, or administrative efforts. Learn more about what YEP defines as an eligible R&D project.
- Funding Amount: Provides up to $30,000 per graduate (up to two) for a period of 6 to 12 months.
- Applicant Eligibility: Must be an incorporated and financially stable Canadian business with 1–500 employees. Applicants are responsible for finding graduates before applying. Candidates must be between 15 to 30 years old.
Mitacs Accelerate Program – Canada-Wide
In the Mitacs Accelerate program, small businesses are matched with interns who have a master’s, doctorate, or postdoctoral fellowship (PDF). These highly skilled young interns can help businesses overcome innovation challenges, conduct research, and develop is tools, models, technologies, or solutions.
- Funding Amount: Up to $15,000 for business contributions of $7,500 per 4–6-month internship.
- Eligible Applicants: May be businesses, corporations, and pre-assessed non-profits throughout Canada. All industries and sectors are supported; preference is given to research and development projects in innovation.
Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities – Ontario Only
The Canadian Tooling & Machine Association (CTMA) offers wage subsidies to eligible employers in advanced manufacturing, tooling, precision machining, and other related sectors for youth hires in these trades.
- Funding Amount: 50% of the candidates’ wages paid to a maximum of $5,000 per 10-16-week placement.
- Eligible Applicants: Must be licensed to operate in Ontario. The program aims to support employers in building a talent pipeline by introducing participants to careers in the precision metalworking sector.
Apply for Canadian Wage Subsidies with Mentor Works
Our clients hear about new wage subsidy announcements first! Reach out to the professional government funding application writing team at Mentor Works, a Ryan Company to have us write and apply on behalf of your business.
Never miss a government funding program application window. Learning when your business should be watching for funding application announcements.