An increase to the provincial minimum wage presents a challenge for small businesses in Ontario. Fortunately, there are government incentives like the Youth Job Connection program that can help offset these costs. One such incentive involves hiring young workers. Here’s some guidance should you wish to participate in one of these employment programs and reap the benefits.
How it works
As an employer, you benefit from hiring a young person.
You can get:
- $1,000-$2,000 through the Employing Young Talent Incentive, for hiring and retaining a young person (15 to 29 years old), if you are:
- a small business with fewer than 100 employees, through Employment Service (new)
- an employer of any size, through Youth Job Connection
- financial incentives for hiring a high school student (15 to 18 years old) through the Youth Job Connection Summer program
- additional financial help to offset training costs
- an employee who is ready to work following a series of job-preparation workshops
- job coaches who provide ongoing support to you and your employee
You have to work with Employment Ontario to set the amount of money needed to hire and train someone through Youth Job Connection or Youth Job Connection Summer. It’s based on the specific skill level of the person you want to hire and the amount of the on-the-job training you’re offering.
Who qualifies
To hire a young person, you must:
- prove you are licensed to operate in Ontario
- comply with workplace, human rights and labour legislation
- have workplace safety and liability insurance
- offer job opportunities taking place in Ontario
Feel free to take advantage of this opportunity as each new hire can generate up to $2,000 and if you are considering additional employees, new sites or expansion or even seasonal help please visit the above and start the process.
From what I understand there is ‘no’ limit to number of new hires by site or company as the government has set aside millions to help small businesses hire new young employees.
