To increase youth employment in the agricultural sector, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, announced a significant initiative: the launch of a new application intake under the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP). Backed by approximately $13.5 million in funding, this initiative aims to create around 1,200 job opportunities tailored for young Canadians in agriculture.
The YESP is to support agriculture employers, offering to cover 50% of wages, up to a maximum of $14,000, for Canadian youth hired. Moreover, employers engaging youth facing obstacles will be eligible for 80% of salary and benefits costs, capped at $14,000, with a potential additional $5,000 grant to tackle specific hurdles to employment.
This program inclusively reaches out to various segments of youth, including Indigenous individuals, those living with disabilities, racialized youth, recent newcomers to Canada, single parents, individuals from low-income households, early school leavers, residents of remote or northern communities, those from Official Language Minority Communities, and members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.
Employers keen to tap into this opportunity can submit their applications from February 26, 2024, through March 25, 2024. Notably, Indigenous employers will receive prioritized consideration for the 2024-2025 program year. Application forms and additional information are available through the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada webpage. For further inquiries, contact Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada via email at aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@canada.ca or by calling 1-866-452-5558.
In a statement, Minister Lawrence MacAulay underscored the pivotal role of young people in shaping the future of Canada’s agricultural landscape. “Young people are the future of Canada’s agriculture industry, and we want to make sure that they can gain the experience they need to have a long and prosperous career in the sector,” he remarked, urging both youth and employers to seize the opportunities presented by the YESP.
The YESP operates within the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), a multi-agency initiative led by Employment and Social Development Canada, designed to equip young people, particularly those encountering employment barriers, with the skills and opportunities necessary for a successful transition into the labor market.
Since its inception, the YESP has facilitated the employment of approximately 5,100 youth in agricultural-related roles across all provinces and territories. Moreover, nearly 1,500 youth facing employment obstacles have secured positions through the program since its launch in 2019.
The YESP epitomizes the government’s commitment to nurturing talent, fostering inclusivity, and fortifying the foundation of Canada’s agricultural sector through the energy and enthusiasm of its youth workforce. As applications open, a wave of opportunity beckons, promising to enrich both the lives of young Canadians and the vitality of the nation’s agricultural industry.
Click here to learn more about the program.
