Clean Foundation — Science Horizons Youth Internship
Highlights
This program is a fantastic opportunity for your business to gain access to skilled, job-ready individuals in the clean economy. By participating, you will receive wage subsidies to help cover intern salaries and training costs. This means you can bring on talented young Canadians without bearing the full financial burden.
What You Get
- Up to 80% of an intern’s salary covered, to a maximum of $25,000 for youth from employment equity groups.
- 50% of an intern’s salary covered, to a maximum of $25,000 for other qualified youth.
- Barrier alleviation funds for training, certifications, personal protective equipment, transportation, childcare, remote work supports, and adaptive technology.
Why Apply?
- Financial Relief: Significant subsidies reduce your payroll expenses.
- Access to Talent: Gain enthusiastic, educated interns ready to contribute to your business.
- Support for Growth: Use the savings to invest in other areas of your business.
The application process is straightforward, and qualifying is easy if you meet the basic criteria. This program not only supports your business financially but also helps you contribute to the clean economy by providing meaningful work experiences to young Canadians.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Wage Subsidy
Repayment Terms and Interest Rates:
- No repayment terms or interest rates apply. This is a non-repayable subsidy.
Eligible Expenses:
- Up to 80% of an intern’s salary, to a maximum of $25,000, for youth from employment equity groups.
- Up to 50% of an intern’s salary, to a maximum of $25,000, for qualified, job-ready youth.
- Barrier alleviation funds for training, certifications, personal protective equipment, transportation, childcare/family care, remote work supports, and adaptive technology.
Ineligible Expenses:
- The funds cannot be used for any expenses outside the specified eligible expenses.
Fees:
- There are no fees associated with this program.
Qualifications
- Must be a legal entity incorporated or registered in Canada, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
- Indigenous organizations and groups (including band councils, tribal councils, and self-government entities) are eligible.
- Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments, and their departments, agencies, institutions, and Crown Corporations, where applicable, are eligible.
- Public health, educational (including post-secondary educational institutions), and cultural organizations are eligible.
- Individuals are eligible.
- Must be able to contribute at least 20% of the total cost of each internship.
- Must be able to create a position with an environmental focus for an individual who does not currently work at your organization.
- Must be able to host an internship between 6-11 months in length.
- Must be located anywhere in Canada.
- Must be able to supervise and mentor an intern utilizing a formal training plan.
- Must have an established payroll system.
Must be able to receive payments by direct deposit.
Disqualifications:
- None specified.
Description
This program offers wage subsidies to help cover the salaries and training costs of interns. You can receive up to 80% of an intern’s salary, with a maximum of $25,000, if you hire youth from employment equity groups. For other qualified youth, the subsidy covers 50% of the salary, up to $25,000.
The funds can be used for various needs, including training, certifications, personal protective equipment, transportation, childcare, remote work supports, and adaptive technology. This means you can provide a meaningful work experience without worrying about the financial burden.
By participating, you gain access to skilled, job-ready individuals in the clean economy. This can help your business grow and innovate while contributing to a sustainable future.
Program Steps
Register as a Science Horizons Employer:
- Apply online by filling out the employer application.
- Provide the following information:
- Gross salary for the position.
- Length of the internship.
- Detailed job description.
Prepare Documentation:
- Gather necessary documents for the application:
- Proof of business registration or incorporation.
- Financial statements.
- Payroll system details.
- Direct deposit information.
- Formal training plan for the intern.
- Gather necessary documents for the application:
Submit Employer Application:
- Complete and submit the employer application online.
- Ensure all required information and documents are included.
Hire an Intern:
- Once your employer application is approved, hire an eligible intern within 60 days.
- Ensure the intern meets the eligibility criteria:
- Between 15 and 30 years old.
- Legally entitled to work in Canada.
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or granted refugee status.
- Not in receipt of Employment Insurance during the internship.
- Not currently enrolled in school.
- Graduate of a degree or diploma program from a recognized institution.
Onboard Your Intern:
- Provide a signed offer letter outlining the gross salary and employment conditions.
- Complete a short questionnaire as part of the onboarding process.
Sign the Contract:
- Clean Foundation will create a contract outlining the responsibilities of participating in the program.
- Sign the contract to formalize the agreement.
Receive Wage Subsidy:
- Clean Foundation will provide the first installment of half your total wage subsidy amount within 30 days of contract signature.
Monthly Salary Proof Submission:
- Submit proof of your intern’s salary every month.
- Upload an attestation letter signed by a chartered professional accountant (CPA) or someone with signing authority in your organization.
Employer Check-In:
- Participate in a mandatory check-in with Clean Foundation halfway through the internship.
- Use this opportunity to ask questions and share your experience.
Closing the Internship:
- Submit all required documents (final reports and proof of salary) at the end of the internship.
- Clean Foundation will review the documents and prepare your final subsidy payment.