Canadian employers and small businesses have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and some are struggling to hire the workers they need. Young people have also been impacted, and continue to face obstacles in finding quality jobs that will help them earn money, grow professionally, and build their careers.
Help is here to face these business challenges in the form of the Canada Summer Jobs program.
The CSJ program is a long-standing Government of Canada program that strives to help youth from ages 15 to 30 obtain their first summer work experience.
This year, the program is aiming to create up to 100,000 full-time summer jobs for young people across the country.
Delta MP Carla Qualtrough Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion said the program is a win-win for local businesses and youth.
“As a member of Parliament it’s one of the direct ways you can create jobs and employee young people and just connect to the business leadership in your community and I really like that,” said Qualtrough. “It’s quite impactful. As part of the process, the local MP establishes priorities, so we chose youth and children, small businesses, persons with disabilities, agriculture and farming and community-based programs. Employers who fall within those priorities will get higher marks in terms of the number of jobs they could get through this program.
“It’s not a small number. Last year we had 374 jobs here in Delta over the summer, with about one and a half million dollars that came into Delta through this program. It’s a great way for employers to hire a young person. It’s been a really positive experience for all involved here in Delta.”
Through the program, public and private sector employers will be reimbursed for up to 50 per cent of British Columbia minimum wage, and not-for-profit employers will be fully reimbursed for British Columbia minimum wage. At the same time, young people in British Columbia will gain experience they need and make money at the same time.
Employers interested in applying for funding to hire young Canadians next summer have until Jan. 25 to submit their applications. Visit: Canada.ca/Canada-summer-jobs.
