First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Private Sector)
Highlights
This program is a fantastic opportunity for your business to support First Nations and Inuit youth in gaining essential employment skills. By participating, you can help young people develop communication, problem-solving, and teamwork abilities, which are crucial for their future success in the labor market.
What You Get
- Wage subsidies for mentored work experiences
- Funding to cover up to 50% of wage costs and mandatory employment-related costs for private sector employers
- Up to 100% funding for not-for-profit organizations to cover wage costs and mandatory employment-related costs
Benefits to Your Business
- Access to a motivated and skilled workforce of young individuals
- Opportunity to mentor and shape future talent
- Financial support that reduces the cost of hiring and training new employees
Participating in this program is straightforward and beneficial. It not only helps youth overcome barriers to employment but also promotes the importance of education and skills in the labor market. This is a win-win for your business and the community.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Wage Subsidy
Repayment Terms and Interest Rates:
- No repayment terms or interest rates apply, as this is a subsidy.
Eligible Expenses:
- Wage costs for mentored work experiences.
- Mandatory employment-related costs.
Use of Funds:
- Funds can be used to cover up to 100% of wage costs and mandatory employment-related costs for not-for-profit organizations.
- For private sector employers, funds can cover up to 50% of wage costs and mandatory employment-related costs.
Restrictions:
- Funds cannot be used for expenses outside of wage costs and mandatory employment-related costs.
Fees:
- There are no fees associated with this program.
Qualifications
- Must be a First Nations or Inuit government or organization.
- Must be a First Nations school or federal school on reserve.
- Must be a not-for-profit association.
Must be a private sector employer.
Eligible youth participants:
- First Nations youth ordinarily resident on reserve or in a recognized community.
- Inuit youth who are residents in Canada but reside outside their territory and are no longer eligible to be funded by their territory.
- Youth must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
- Youth must be aged 15 to 30 at the start of the program’s activities.
- Youth must be not in school, unemployed, or underemployed for mentored work placements.
- Youth must be students in grades 7 to 12 for co-operative education placements.
- Youth may be younger than 15 years of age for activities promoting careers and science and technology.
Disqualifications:
- Youth who maintain a primary residence off reserve.
- Inuit youth who are eligible to receive funding from their territorial government.
Description
This program is designed to help First Nations and Inuit youth gain essential employment skills and explore career options. Your business can receive funding to support activities like career promotion, science and technology projects, co-operative education placements, internships, and mentored work placements.
Funding can cover up to 100% of wage costs for not-for-profit organizations and up to 50% for private sector employers. This financial support makes it easier for you to offer valuable work experiences to youth, helping them develop skills in communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.
By participating, you not only support the development of young talent but also benefit from wage subsidies that reduce your employment costs. This program is a great opportunity to invest in the future workforce while gaining dedicated and motivated young employees.
Program Steps
Prepare Your Proposal:
- Outline the activities you plan to undertake.
- Ensure the proposal meets the National First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy Skills Link Program guidelines.
- Make sure the proposal is gender-balanced.
- Explain how the activities will meet the program's objectives.
- Detail the expected results of the project.
- Confirm that the activities will assist only eligible participants.
- Provide an estimate of eligible costs, including those assumed by partners.
Gather Required Documentation:
- Detailed proposal for the activities.
- Proof of eligibility for participants (e.g., residency status, age, legal entitlement to work in Canada).
- Financial statements or budget estimates.
- Any agreements with private sector or non-profit sector employers, if applicable.
Access the ISC Services Portal:
- If you have access, log in to the ISC services portal to complete the electronic form.
- If you do not have access, contact your ISC Regional office for assistance.
Submit Your Proposal:
- For First Nations and Inuit communities, governments, and organizations: Submit through the ISC services portal or contact your ISC Regional office.
- For not-for-profit organizations and private sector employers: Contact your ISC Regional office or email [email protected].
Review and Approval:
- Your proposal will be reviewed by the Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Regional office or the First Nations or Inuit organization managing the program.
- Be prepared to provide additional information if requested.
Await Confirmation:
- Once your proposal is reviewed, you will receive confirmation of approval or further instructions.
Implement the Activities:
- Upon approval, begin the activities as outlined in your proposal.
- Ensure all activities align with the program guidelines and objectives.
Report on Progress:
- Regularly report on the progress of the activities.
- Provide updates on the results achieved and any challenges faced.
Final Reporting:
- At the end of the program period, submit a final report detailing the outcomes and financial expenditures.
- Ensure all documentation is complete and accurate.
