Youth Employment and Skills Program
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Helps employers create quality work experiences for youth while addressing their human resource needs.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applying as an intermediary organization (non-profit, community agency, Indigenous organization) with experience delivering youth employment programming — individual employers do not apply directly
- Demonstrated track record serving youth facing barriers (not just general youth population)
- Project specifically targets youth aged 15-30
- Has or is developing employer engagement partnerships to host youth placements
- Complete Budget Detail Template submitted (mandatory; missing it is automatic disqualification)
- Quebec organizations must apply for the National Component (not Regional Component)
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $25,000
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Deadline
- Between intakes — periodic calls for proposals, next expected 2026
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipIndividual employers should NOT try to apply to YESSP directly — the program funds intermediary organizations, not employers. Instead, search for YESS-funded organizations in your region (many are community agencies, Indigenous organizations, or employment centres) and offer to host a youth placement. These intermediaries are actively looking for quality employer partners. If you are an intermediary organization, the strongest applications demonstrate deep employer partnerships already in place and a track record of serving youth facing multiple, compounding barriers — not just any unemployed youth. The Youth with Disabilities stream has a protected 20%+ allocation, so organizations with disability employment expertise face less competition.
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Rejection Pitfalls 9
- Application does not demonstrate all 5 mandatory criteria (automatic disqualification)
- Organization lacks track record in youth employment programming
- Project does not specifically target youth facing barriers — serving general youth population is insufficient
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Success Profile
For intermediary organizations applying to deliver programming: established not-for-profits with 3+ years of youth employment service delivery, strong employer networks, experience serving Indigenous, racialized, or disabled youth, and presence in underserved communities. For employers hosting placements: any size, any sector, willing to provide structured mentorship and quality work experience — not just an extra pair of hands. Agriculture employers have their own dedicated AAFC stream.
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Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed on 5 mandatory criteria (automatic disqualification if any are unmet): organizational capacity and track record in youth employment; quality of employer engagement strategy; demonstration of serving youth facing barriers (not general youth population); SMART objectives with clear performance measurement plan; and evidence of partnerships and community support. Projects targeting underrepresented demographics (Indigenous, racialized, disabled, rural, LGBTQ2+ youth) and underserved geographic areas receive additional consideration.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 12
Eligible Expenses 8
- Participant wages and mandatory employment-related costs (EI, CPP, vacation pay)
- Participant support costs (living expenses, dependent care, transportation, accommodation) up to $50,000/participant
- Staff salaries for project coordination, mentoring, and case management
- Training and skills development activities for youth participants
- Administrative and overhead costs (typically capped at 15-20% of total budget)
- Disability-related accommodations (exempt from per-participant cap)
- Work placement equipment (safety gear, uniforms, criminal record checks — max $300/participant)
- Project evaluation and performance measurement activities
Ineligible Expenses 5
- Capital expenditures and land/building acquisition
- Fundraising activities or partisan political activities
- Core organizational operating costs unrelated to the funded project
- Expenses incurred before the contribution agreement is signed
- Activities that are discriminatory or violate the Canadian Charter of Rights
Intake Periods
Periodic calls for proposals — not continuous intake. The most recent Youth Focused Projects call launched October 2023, with decisions announced July 2024. Budget 2025 allocated $307.9M over two years starting FY 2026-27, so a new call is expected in 2026. The AAFC agricultural stream has separate intake windows (last opened January 2025).
Deadline Notes
YESSP (ESDC-administered) uses periodic calls for proposals, not ongoing intake. The most recent Youth Focused Projects call launched October 4, 2023, with funding decisions announced July 2024 for 200+ projects. The Strategic Collaboration stream (invitation-only) had applications due July 10, 2024. Both are currently closed. Budget 2025 allocated $307.9M over two years starting FY 2026-27, meaning a new call for proposals is expected in 2026. The AAFC agricultural stream operates separately with its own intake windows (last opened January 2025). Individual employers do NOT apply to YESSP — they connect with already-funded intermediary organizations.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Individual employers (must partner with funded intermediaries instead)
- For-profit corporations applying as lead applicants (some streams allow as partners)
- Organizations without demonstrated experience in youth employment programming
- Quebec organizations applying for the Regional Component (must apply National only)
- Organizations proposing discriminatory programming or partisan political activities
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How Youth Employment and Skills... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Employment and Skills Program | Up to $25,000 | Hard | Advance Payment | Between intakes —... |
| Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) | $5,000 per placement | Easy | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
| Industrial Research Assistance Progra... | Up to $1 million | Moderate | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Annual intake window.... |
| Innovative Solutions Canada | up to $150,000 | Hard | Milestone-Based | Challenge-specific — new... |
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