Ontario Helping Young People Find Jobs, Gain Work Experience
NEWS
Ontario’s Youth Employment Fund is helping young people in Belleville get training, find jobs and gain valuable work experience.
Since launching last September, the fund has helped employers in Belleville offer four- to six-month job placements to 50 young people, and it is well on its way to meeting its two-year target of creating 25,000 job opportunities across the province.
Under the fund, Ontario is providing up to $7,800 to cover a range of supports and services for each eligible young worker. That includes up to $6,800 to help cover wage and training costs, and up to $1,000 to help young workers pay for job-related costs like tools and transportation to work.
The fund is part of the Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy, which is investing $295 million over two years to help 30,000 young people aged 15-29 find work, build job skills and start their own businesses.
Helping young people find jobs and gain valuable work experience is part of the Ontario government’s economic plan to invest in people, invest in infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate.
QUOTES
“The strong early results of the Youth Employment Fund are helping youth fully participate in the workforce – to connect and contribute. By targeting a broad range of ages, abilities and backgrounds, this fund and the Youth Jobs Strategy are helping to build a brighter future for our young people and a stronger Ontario.”
— Brad Duguid, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
“Without workplace experience, I never thought I would have an opportunity to work in the trades and thanks to the Youth Employment Fund I am applying to become an automotive service technician apprentice.”
— Candice Cook, Youth Employment Fund participant
QUICK FACTS
- Eligible youth aged 15 to 29 and employers can apply online to access the Youth Employment Fund through Employment Ontario’s Employment Service.
- Across Ontario, the fund has helped employers provide nearly 6,500 young people with job placements, creating an average of 380 job placements per week.
- The fund is available in all regions of the province, with greater support for communities with higher youth unemployment.
- The fund provides support to youth facing multiple barriers to employment, including Aboriginal youth, recent immigrants and visible minorities, youth with disabilities, rural and northern youth, and youth leaving care or on social assistance.
LEARN MORE
Search for Youth Jobs Programs
Brad Duguid, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Loyalist President Maureen Piercy at Community Employment Services in Belleville.
Minister Duguid visits CES Belleville and congratulates Loyalist employers and clients for their participation in Ontario’s Youth Employment Fund programs.
Emily Hedges, Minister’s Office, 416-326-1635
Tanya Blazina, Communications Branch, 416-325-2746
Public Inquiries: 1-800-387-5514
TTY: 1-800-268-7095
ontario.ca/postsecondary
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