Employer applications open for Canada Summer Jobs program

NEWS RELEASE
LLOYD LONGFIELD, MP GUELPH
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A summer job plays an important role in a young person’s career. It puts money in their pockets for the rest of the year, and helps them get the skills they need to work toward a career of choice. The pool of capable, dynamic and diverse talent available to employers also increases during the summer months. The Canada Summer Jobs program creates opportunities for everyone by pairing opportunity with talent, which is key to maintaining a strong economy.

Lloyd Longfield, on behalf of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Marci Ien, announced the launch of the employer application period for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) 2023 program. Not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers, and private sector employers with 50 or fewer full-time employees can apply for funding now until Jan. 12, 2023 to hire young Canadians next summer. Full-time job placements will become available starting in April 2023.

Each year, national priorities are established to prioritize job opportunities for youth facing barriers to getting a first job as well as jobs in small business and the not-for-profit sector. This year, the priorities are:

• youth with disabilities;
• Black and other racialized youth;
• Indigenous youth;
• small businesses and not-for-profit organizations that self-report as having leadership from groups that are under-represented in the labour market;
• small business and not-for-profit organizations in environmental sectors.

In Guelph, regional priorities will also focus on:

• Projects supporting not for profit organizations
• Seniors
• Food insecurity (organizations helping to grow, distribute and provide food to low income seniors, families etc.)
• Mental Health/Addictions
• Early learning (organizations working with children providing work experience for those exploring a career in this path to help fill work shortages).

Employers interested in applying for CSJ 2023 funding can submit their applications electronically via either the online fillable application or the Grants and Contributions Online Service. The online fillable application is the fastest way for employers to submit an application online, while the Grants and Contributions Online Service requires the user to create an account before submitting an application for CSJ.

CSJ is part of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), which helps youth, particularly those facing barriers, to gain the skills and experience they need to successfully transition to the labour market. Through the YESS, which is delivered by 12 federal government departments and agencies, youth can access skills training, internships and work experiences in important emerging sectors such as the digital economy, green jobs, environmental science and technology, and natural resources.

Quotes

“We have a responsibility to equip young people with opportunities and skills, and to help employers access a pool of talented young employees who are dynamic, intelligent and eager to contribute. The Canada Summer Jobs program answers that call. This program connects employers with one of our country’s most valuable resources: youth. And it helps youth gain valuable skills and work experience, setting them up for a lifetime of success in the job market.” - Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Marci Ien

“The CSJ program has helped countless youth over the years in our area gain valuable work experience and mentorship, while improving their skills and readying them for future success. Thanks to Guelph employers accessing CSJ, over 550 youth in Guelph benefitted through this quality work program last year.” - Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph

Quick facts

• In March 2022, the unemployment rate was 19.0 per cent for Black youth (aged 15–24) and 12.5 per cent for visible minority youth, compared to the overall unemployment rate of 9.8 per cent for non-racialized youth.
• The 2022 Fall Economic Statement proposes to provide $802.1 million over three years, starting in 2022– 23, to the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. This includes:
  • $301.4 million over two years, starting in 2023–24, through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy program, to provide wraparound supports and job placements to young people facing employment barriers;
  • $400.5 million over two years, starting in 2023–24, to Canada Summer Jobs to support annual summer job placements; and,
  • $100.2 million over three years, starting in 2022–23, to continue supporting work placements for First Nations youth through the Income Assistance – First Nations Youth Employment Strategy Pilot.
• Again this year, not-for-profit employers can receive funding for up to 100 per cent of the provincial or territorial adult minimum hourly wage and all associated Mandatory Employment Related Costs, such as Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security. Public and private sector employers are eligible to receive funding for up to 50% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage. Employers may also be eligible for additional funding to accommodate youth with disabilities in the workplace.
• Job placements will occur during the summer of 2023 and will be full time (minimum of 30 and a maximum of 40 hours per week). All CSJ opportunities must have a duration of six to 16 weeks (average is eight weeks).

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