Value
Maximum of $22,500 per internDescription
The Pinnguaq Association was selected by the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to act as a delivery organization for the Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) internship program for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 fiscal years. The program is designed to help underemployed youth gain meaningful work experience and the digital skills needed to successfully transition and participate in the new digital economy.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible Employers
Eligible employers can be small and medium businesses or not-for-profit organizations with up to 500 employees.
Eligible Participants
Interns hired by employers through the DS4Y program must meet the following criteria:
• Be between the ages of 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the internship
• Has completed a post-secondary education at a recognized program
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada
• Must not be in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI) during the internship
• Self-assess as underemployed, meaning they are employed below their level of education and/or hold part-time employment
Eligible Expenses
The eligible costs which may be contributed to the employer are those direct costs identified below:
Youth Salaries and Benefits for Not-for-Profit and For-Profit organizations
- Not more than 100% of the total salary and benefits to a maximum of $22,500 per intern (this total includes any approved training described below)
- Employers are encouraged to top up wage contributions and training expenses from the program.
Costs Related to Youth Upskilling
In order to enhance the intern’s work experience and improve their employability, the DS4Y program will fund up to $4,000 per intern, inclusive of taxes, for upskilling. This will help the intern acquire new digital skills required to succeed in the digital economy such as:
- Coding, web development, digital media, and proficiency in the use of various software programs (digital skills)
- Other related soft skills (for example, communications, entrepreneurship, strategic thinking)
Whereas the total amount for training cannot exceed $4,000 exclusive of taxes, training related to soft skills is limited to $1,000 exclusive of taxes.
Other Eligible Costs
- Other costs such as daycare, mobility costs, transportation may be eligible.