The summer employment hunt starts now
Canada Summer Jobs program has a January deadline for employers looking for young workers
THE WEATHER HASN’T BEEN overly wintry, but it’s certainly not putting many of us in mind of summer. If you’re an employer planning on some student help, however, you may want to keep that season in mind: the deadline for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program is January 25.
Under the program, employers can apply today to receive funding from the federal government to hire youth to work for their company. In this case, the prospective employers must be not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers, or private firms with up to 50 employees.
Though the House is still on Christmas break, Kitchener-Conestoga MP Harold Albrecht already has his eye on the season ahead.
“I’m proud to have supported this program over the past 12 years,” said Albrecht. “Investing in our youth is what is best for our communities and will ensure that Canada has a bright future. This program is providing youth gainful experience as well as supporting our local businesses.”
While the program has been running for more than a decade, there are several changes from what was offered in 2018. Updates include expanded eligibility – youth ages 15-30 many now apply, and the program is no longer restricted solely to students. The change was made to complement the government’s renewal of the Youth Employment Strategy, announced in conjunction with last year’s budget.
“Young Canadians are not just the leaders of tomorrow – they are leaders today,” said Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Patricia Hajdu. “That’s why our government is focused on ensuring they get the skills and training they need to succeed, and Canada Summer Jobs is an incredibly important program for helping young people achieve this. Providing youth with opportunities for paid, meaningful work experience, helps ensure they have a fair shot at success.”
This program can help non-profit organizations substantially. Not-for-profit employers are eligible for up to 100 per cent of the provincial minimum hourly wage and mandatory employment-related costs, while small businesses with up to 50 employees and public-sector employers are eligible for 50 per cent of the provincial minimum hourly wage.
This mutually beneficial program provides youth with an opportunity to
gain work experience to build their résumés and learn valuable skills, while also helping organizations to fill labour gaps throughout the summer months.
“The 2019 CSJ program is very similar to the 2018 program,” said Josh Bueckert, a Service Canada spokesperson. “They advertise their available positions and youth apply directly to the employer for jobs.”
The jobs created through the program will be listed through www.jobbank.gc.ca, and on the mobile app. The site allows users to create a profile and resume so that the most relevant jobs to their work experience are readily displayed.
The budget for the program is sizeable: the government has boosted base funding to $107 million to allow the program to create up to 70,000 jobs per year. That’s nearly double the number of jobs created since 2015.
Those wishing to apply can do so online, in person, or by mail before January 25. The earliest job start date is April 23, while the latest is July 23. The latest job end date is on September 1. For more information or to apply, visit www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/canada-summerjobs.html.