Applications for Youth Employment and Skills Program open

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has announced funding of approximately $13.5 million to support a new application intake under the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP).

The initiative will provide the agricultural sector with help needed to support approximately 1,200 jobs for youth in the sector.

The YESP offers support for 50 per cent of wages up to a maximum of $14,000 to agriculture employers hiring Canadian youth. Employers that hire youth facing employment barriers will be eligible for 80 per cent of the cost of salaries and benefits (to a maximum of $14,000) and may be eligible for an additional $5,000 to address specific obstacles of employment.

“Young people are the future of Canada’s agriculture industry, and we want to make sure that they can gain the experience they need to have a long and prosperous career in the sector,” says Minister of AAFC, Lawrence MacAulay. “I encourage folks to take advantage of this program and the opportunities it holds – both for our youth and employers.”

The program supports the following employees:

• Indigenous
• Youth living with a disability – including physical, mental health related, or a learning disability
• Racialized youth
• Recent newcomers to Canada (within five years)
• Single parent
• Living in a low income household
• Individual who left high school
• Residing in a remote, northern and/or fly-in community
• Living in an official Language Minority Community
• 2SLGBTQQIA+

Employers can apply between February 26, 2024 and March 25, 2024 for their project to be considered. Application forms for the YESP are available through the Youth Employment and Skills Program webpage.