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Employers can now apply for 2023 Canada Summer Jobs program to offset costs of hiring young workers

The thermometer may be dropping, but Canadian employers can already start thinking about summer — at least when it comes to hiring students.

Applications are now open for federal grants under the Canada Summer Jobs 2023 program.

“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,” said Marci Ien, federal Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth. “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.”

Not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers, and private sector employers with 50 or fewer full-time employees can apply for funding now until January 12, 2023, to hire young Canadians next summer. Full-time job placements will become available starting in April 2023.

National priorities

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.

Applying for funding

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, Ottawa said, 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.

How much is funded?

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 per cent 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 6–16 weeks (average is eight weeks).

For more information, visit https://srv217.services.gc.ca/ihst4/Intro.aspx?cid=e7d4ea95-e956-4121-8754-03166ae47520&lc=eng