If you are an employer who has a proposal for a project outside of your usual business activities, you could get a wage subsidy to hire previously unemployed individuals.
Eligible employers can apply for funding for projects that give work experience to unemployed Ontarians, help their community and benefit their local economy. Job seekers, also known as participants, can work on projects that:
- benefit the community or local economy
- add recent work experience to their resume
- develop or enhance employable skills
- provide networking opportunities
This experience may increase their chances of finding long-term employment.
Project requirements
Employers can sponsor a project that meets the following requirements:
- Participants must gain meaningful work experience that will increase the chances of finding long term, sustainable employment
- Projects must not be longer than 52 weeks
- The project activities must be distinct and not part of the organization’s normal day-to-day operations
- Activities must have a defined start and end date
Eligible employers
Eligible employers, also known as sponsors, include:
- businesses
- non-profit organizations
- municipalities
- Indigenous councils
- public health and educational institutions
Eligible participants
Eligible participants must:
- be unemployed
- live in Ontario
- be legally authorized to work in Canada
- meet at least one of the following criteria:
- have an active employment insurance (EI) claim
- have an EI benefit period that ended within the past five years
- have paid employee premiums in at least five of the previous 10 years (where earnings have been at least $2,000 in each of those years)