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Frequently asked questions for employers – Young Canada Works

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How does the Young Canada Works (YCW) program work?

YCW provides funding to employers to create short-term jobs for students and internships for graduates. The program offers young Canadians the opportunity to gain the skills, experience and ability they require to enter Canada's workforce.

To acquire funding, an employer must complete and submit an application, which outlines the position(s) they wish to create for a student or intern. These details consist of the organization and supervisor's contact information, the job's details (i.e. the proposed project or job and how the YCW participant, employer, and community [if applicable] will benefit from the experience), as well as a budget to indicate the project or job costs and the amount requested from YCW. Once you have completed an application, it will be submitted to a specific delivery organization.

11 delivery organizations deliver the four YCW programs. Employers must choose a delivery organization with a mandate closest to that of their organization or project or the organization responsible for delivering YCW in their region.

To do so, review the list of delivery organizations. Click on the name of an organization to visit its website, review its mandate, and determine whether it fits with yours. If you are unsure of which organization to choose, contact them for more information.

Once the delivery organization has received your application, it will be reviewed and evaluated. Employers are strongly encouraged to read the Young Canada Works Employer Guide prior to submitting an application. The Guide can also be obtained through the appropriate delivery organization or the YCW Secretariat at coordonnateurjct-ycwcoordinator@pch.gc.ca .

Is my organization eligible?

Employer eligibility criteria vary. Select one of the programs below to learn about who can apply.

YCW offers two employment programs:

YCW also offers two internship programs:

If you are still uncertain, contact a delivery organization for further information regarding your organization's eligibility.

How can I apply and is there a deadline?

Employers who wish to apply for YCW funding must complete an application and submit it to the appropriate delivery organization for evaluation. Please visit the Young Canada Works web site to create an account and submit a job application.

Before applying to the program, we strongly encourage employers to read the Young Canada Works Employer Guide to prepare for the application process. It is also recommended to visit the links above to ensure your organization is eligible to apply to the program.

For the 2024-2025 funding cycle, the deadline to apply for the jobs program Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations is January 19, 2024.

For the 2024-2025 funding cycle, the deadline to apply for the internships program Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage is January 19, 2024.

The deadline to apply for the program Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages is February 3rd.

The deadlines to apply for the internships program and Languages at Work are determined by the delivery organizations that administer these programs. Please contact the appropriate delivery organization to inquire about deadlines.

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered for evaluation.

How much funding is provided to employers?

Funding varies among the programs. Please refer to the list of programs below for further information. If you have any questions, contact your delivery organization.

Young Canada Works jobs

Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations-YCWHO

  • YCWHO generally contributes approximately 50% of total eligible employment costs (i.e. wages, benefits and other eligible expenditures), and may, if justified, contribute a higher percentage.
  • YCWHO generally contributes a maximum of $10,000 per job.
  • During the application assessment process, priority will be given to employers’ proposals that meet government priorities, including Indigenous organizations, Indigenous youth, Indigenous cultural heritage (First Nations, Inuit or Métis), ethno-cultural and official language minority communities, and youth that are facing barriers to employment).
  • If you hire a person with a disability, YCWHO may reimburse a maximum of $3,000 per participant for reasonable costs related to job accommodation requirements.  Additional financial support, to help remove barriers to employment, could be granted. For more information, please contact your delivery organization.

Note: The Young Canada Works program is highly competitive, requests for funding typically exceed our available resources. If your organization is eligible, submitting an application is not a guarantee of funding nor is the percentage of funding requested.

Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages

  • YCW may contribute a maximum of 50% of the student's employment costs (i.e. wages, benefits and other eligible expenditures) for private and public sector organizations.
  • YCW may contribute a maximum of 70% of the student's employment costs (i.e. wages, benefits and other eligible expenditures) for non-profit organizations.
  • If you hire a person with a disability, YCW may reimburse a maximum of $3,000 for reasonable costs related to job accommodation requirements.

Note: To enable geographic mobility within the Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages program, priority will be given to employers who hire students who must travel more than 125 km from their permanent residence to their workplace.

Young Canada Works internships

Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage-YCWBCH

  • YCWBCH generally contributes approximately 50% of eligible employment costs (i.e. wages, benefits and other eligible expenditures), and may, if justified, contribute a higher percentage.
  • YCWBCH generally contributes a maximum of $15,000 per internship in Canada.
  • YCWBCH generally contributes a maximum of $17,000 per international internship.
  • During the application assessment process, priority will be given to employers’ proposals that meet government priorities including Indigenous organizations, Indigenous youth, Indigenous cultural heritage (First Nations, Inuit or Métis), ethno-cultural and official language minority communities, and youth that are facing barriers to employment.
  • If you hire a person with a disability, YCWBCH may reimburse a maximum of $3,000 per participant for reasonable costs related to job accommodation requirements. Additional financial support, to help remove barriers to employment, could be granted. For more information, please contact your delivery organization.

Note: The Young Canada Works program is highly competitive, requests for funding typically exceed our available resources. If your organization is eligible, submitting an application is not a guarantee of funding nor is the percentage of funding requested.

Young Canada Works at Building Careers in English and French

Domestic internships:
  • YCW may contribute a maximum of 50% of the student's employment costs (i.e. wages, benefits and other eligible expenditures) for private and public sector organizations.
  • YCW may contribute a maximum of 75% of the student's employment costs (i.e. wages, benefits and other eligible expenditures) for non-profit organizations.

Note: The employer will be expected to demonstrate commitment to the project/position by matching or exceeding the YCW contribution through financial and in-kind contributions.

Does YCW provide reimbursements for travel and accommodations?

Travel/accommodation reimbursements vary among the programs. Please refer to the list of programs below for further information. If you have any questions, contact your delivery organization.

Young Canada Works jobs

Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations-YCWHO

  • If you wish to hire an eligible student from another part of Canada, YCWHO may reimburse some transportation costs in accordance with established policies.
  • After selecting a candidate, contact your delivery organization to discuss transportation arrangements. They will provide you with the required forms to request a reimbursement.

Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages

  • YCW will offer a housing allowance for students living more than 125 km from their workplace and pay the cost of one round trip between the student's permanent residence and workplace in accordance with established policies.

Note: To enable geographic mobility, within the Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages program, priority will be given to employers who hire students who must travel more than 125 km from their permanent residence to their place workplace.

Young Canada Works internships

Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage-YCWBCH

  • If you wish to hire an eligible graduate from another part of Canada, YCWBCH may reimburse some transportation costs in accordance with established policies.
  • After selecting a candidate, contact your delivery organization to discuss transportation arrangements. Your delivery organization will provide you with the required forms to request a reimbursement.

Young Canada Works at Building Careers in English and French

Young Canada Works at Building Careers in English and French (YCWBCEF) will pay reasonable students transportation costs (round trip) within the program’s policy. Participants must cover accommodation costs. The delivery organization will be responsible for the transportation management. Remote working is accepted and encouraged during the pandemic.

When will I receive a notification regarding my application?

Application approval takes a minimum of two months following the program deadline. If you wish to inquire about the status of your application, please contact your delivery organization.

I was not approved for funding. What are my options?

If you have been informed that your funding application was not approved, you may contact your delivery organization for feedback.

I was approved for funding. What are my obligations?

As a YCW employer, you must adhere to the contractual terms and conditions of the program in which you are participating. You will find those terms and conditions in your contract. Please contact your delivery organization for more details.

Employers are strongly encouraged to read the Young Canada Works Employer Guide to prepare for the application process, learn about employer obligations and find further information on the YCW programs.

Over the duration of the job or internship, you will also be required to complete the following online forms and reports:

  • A Candidate Eligibility Form to confirm your candidate’s eligibility. You must complete this form before you hire your student or intern.
  • A Staffing Report to ensure that the job information matches the contract. This information must be confirmed during the first week of your student or intern's work.
  • An End of Work Term Report to ensure the job or internship has successfully ended. This form must be completed on the student or intern's last day of work.
  • An Evaluation Questionnaire to provide feedback regarding the program. This form must be completed at the end of the employment or internship period.

If you have any questions about these obligations, please contact to your delivery organization. You can refer to all forms and reports within your YCW account.

Who can I hire for my YCW funded position?

You must ensure that the candidate you hire meets the eligibility criteria below:

General eligibility criteria for students (jobs)

The participant must:

  • be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent resident status are not eligible);
  • be legally entitled to work in Canada (have a valid social insurance number);
  • be between 16 and 30 years of age inclusively at the start of employment; and
  • have been a high school, college, CEGEP or university student.

General eligibility criteria for graduates (internships)

The participant must:

  • be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent resident status are not eligible);
  • be legally entitled to work in Canada (have a valid social insurance number);
  • be between 16 and 30 years of age inclusively at the start of employment; and
  • be a college or university graduate.

Note: Priority will be given to graduates who have never participated in YCW internship programs and that are unemployed or underemployed.

I have a different question. Who should I contact?

I need paper copies of my YCW forms/reports. Where can I get them?

Contact your delivery organization for paper copies of forms and reports.

I have paper copies of my YCW forms/reports. Do I need to mail these items to someone?

Send all paper copies to your delivery organization.

I found a glitch on the YCW website. Do you offer technical support?

Email us at coordonnateurjct-ycwcoordinator@pch.gc.caContact the Young Canada Works Secretaria for Technical support

I have a general question about the YCW program.

Email us at coordonnateurjct-ycwcoordinator@pch.gc.ca Contact the Young Canada Works Secretariat for general questions

I want to make a suggestion/comment about the YCW program.

Email us at coordonnateurjct-ycwcoordinator@pch.gc.ca Contact the Young Canada Works Secretaria for suggestion/comment

My student/intern needs to quit their work assignment. What do I do?

Inform your delivery organization of the situation to determine whether it is possible to hire another candidate for the position.

The nature of the funded project/position has changed (e.g. dates, work period, tasks). What should I do?

Contact your delivery organization as soon as possible to inform them of any significant changes.

What are the next steps?

Contact your delivery organization if you have any questions about your reporting obligations.

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