Applicants Guide for Skills Link and Career Focus Program

Youth Programs Delivered by Service Canada

All youth programs delivered by Service Canada share similar guiding principles, eligibility requirements, contribution recipient roles and responsibilities.

Guiding Principles

Youth program activities are based on the following principles:

to provide youth with increased access and a broader mix of tailored programs and services that will encourage lifelong learning and their full participation in the labour market;
to ensure youth have the information, skills and work experience they need to find and keep a job;
to foster innovative approaches to developing improved employability skills and work opportunities for Canadian youth;
to support collaboration and strengthen partnerships among federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments, and businesses, employers, not-for-profit and voluntary organizations, Aboriginal groups, other youth-serving agencies and community-based organizations; and
to respect the Government of Canada's Official Languages Act and Employment Equity Act.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants who are eligible to receive funding from Service Canada towards a Youth Employment Strategy project include:

businesses;
organizations (including not-for-profit, professional, employer and labour associations);
public health and educational institutions;
band/tribal councils, Aboriginal organizations;
individuals; and
provincial/territorial and municipal governments.

Eligible Participants

Each youth program targets the participation of specific youth groups. For detailed information concerning participant eligibility by program, please refer to the Skills Link, and Career Focus sections of this guide.

Applicants Roles and Responsibilities

Applicants are responsible for:

designing and delivering the project;
recruiting and selecting eligible participants;
securing the involvement of partners;
managing the overall finances of the project, including paying income support to participants when required;
adhering to good management practices by maintaining accurate progress reports and financial records;
providing support and supervision to participants; and
ensuring accountability by reporting, tracking and maintaining participant information for follow-up.

Partnerships

Young Canadians have very complex needs which require the expertise of many partners. The Youth Employment Strategy encourages cooperation among various community stakeholders such as Aboriginal communities, public health authorities, colleges and universities, businesses, as well as not-for-profit and voluntary organizations.

When developing a proposal, the applicant should also demonstrate that a partnership has been formed with several other organizations and clearly outline the commitment, expertise and resources that each partner will contribute to the project.

The Application Package

An application package must be completed and signed, as required, by authorized representative(s) of the organization. Where a deadline has been established, no additional documents will be accepted after this date unless requested by Service Canada. In order to be included in the assessment and recommendation process, application packages must include the following completed documents:

Application for Funding [EMP5209 (2011-01-007) E];
Forecast of Cash Flow [EMP5216 (2005-11-005) E];
Proposal Description (see Proposal Development section);
Budget Template for Contribution Project Proposal [EMP 5386 (2012-02-003) E].

Submitting an Application Package

Employers and organizations must consult the list of Service Canada Centres accepting Career Focus applications to find out where to send their application.

Under normal conditions, we will acknowledge receipt of your proposal within 21 calendar days of receiving your application package.

Service Canada is not obligated to enter into any contribution agreements with any applicants.

Only project activities that take place in Canada will be eligible for funding.

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More information for employers and youth

About the Youth Employment Strategy

Eleven Government of Canada departments and agencies work in partnership with business, labour, industry, not-for-profit and voluntary organizations, rural and remote communities and all levels of government to help young people get the information and develop the skills and work experience they need to prepare for and participate in the world of work. Read more about this initiative or call the Youth Info Line at 1-800-935-5555.