By Sandra Beagan
On January 19, Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Labour, announced that the application period to hire students for summer jobs under the 2017 Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program had been extended to February 3.
Summer work experience helps students pay for their education and gain experience in their careers.
Public-sector employers, not-for-profit organizations, and small business owners are encouraged to apply for federal funding from the program to hire students for the summer.
The CSJ program funds summer job opportunities for students aged 15 to 30.
Businesses and organizations are encouraged to submit applications that support local priorities as well as five specific national priorities:
- Small businesses working to become more innovative, competitive and successful, in recognition of their key contribution to the creation of new jobs
- Employers involved in the welcome and settlement of immigrants (including Syrian refugees) in Canada
- Employers that hire Indigenous people
- Opportunities in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) sectors
- Employers are involved in activities celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation.
Applicants approved for funding will be able to hire students as early as April 2017. Employers can apply at Canada.ca/Canada-summer-jobs or visit a Service Canada Centre.
The Honourable Patty Hajdu: “I invite all employers who haven’t yet done so to apply today to receive support to hire students this summer. This is a tremendous opportunity to give work experience to energetic, enthusiastic students, and to keep our economy growing.”
Some Facts:
- Public-sector employers and small businesses with up to 50 employees can receive 50 percent of the provincial/territorial minimum hourly wage
- Not-for-profit employers can receive 100 percent of the provincial/territorial minimum hourly wage and mandatory employment-related costs
- Canada Summer Jobs has created almost 400,000 student jobs since its inception
The program is part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy which focuses on skills, career, and experience.
