Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is investing about $13 million to enhance the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) and to help support approximately 1,200 jobs for youth in the sector. The program is now open and accepting applications.

The YESP Program offers support for 50 per cent of wages 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 and may be eligible for an additional $5,000 to address specific obstacles to employment.

The list of employment barriers follows.

·          Indigenous

·          youth living with a disability – including physical, mental health related or learning disability

·          racialized youth (formerly visible minority)

·          recent newcomer to Canada (within 5 years)

·          single parent

·          living in a low-income household

·          early school leaver of 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 27, 2023 and March 27, 2023 for their project to be considered. Applications from Indigenous applicants will be prioritized for the 2023-2024 program year. Application forms for the YESP are available through the webpage. Additional information, can be found by contacting aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@canada.ca, or calling: 1-866-452-5558.

Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada February 27, 2023 news release