Career Focus - Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Career Focus?

Career Focus is a program that provides funding for employers and organizations to create career-related work experiences for post-secondary graduates.

2. What is the objective of the program?

The objective of the program is to help post-secondary graduates gain advanced employability skills and facilitate their transition into the labour market.

3. What are career-related work experiences?

Under Career Focus, funding may be provided for career-related work experiences.  A career-related work experience is an activity through which Career Focus participants can gain employment experience and skills related to their field of studies or career goals.

A description of this activity can be found in the Project Activities section of the Applicant Guide for Skills Link and Career Focus Programs.

4. Who can participate in the program activities being offered by the different organizations?

Participants are recruited by the funding recipients.

To participate in Career Focus, youth must be:

  • between the ages of 15 and 30 (inclusive) at the time of intake/selection;
  • post-secondary graduates;
  • out of school;
  • Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons who have been granted refugee status in Canada;
  • legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations; and
  • not in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.

5. Who can receive funding under the program?

Eligible applicants include:

  • businesses;
  • organizations (including not-for-profit);
  • public health and educational institutions;
  • band or tribal councils, Aboriginal organizations; and
  • municipal governments.

6. How can organizations apply to the program?

Employers and organizations must consult the list of Service Canada Centres accepting Career Focus applications to find out where to send their application.  If a Call for Proposals is underway, the application details will be available on the Service Canada Calls for Proposals for Employment Programs Web page.

7. What are the application dates?

Applications for funding are generally accepted on an ongoing basis.  If a Call for Proposals is underway, the application details will be available on the Service Canada Calls for Proposals for Employment Programs Web page.

8. What is the maximum duration of a Career Focus project?

Career Focus allows for agreements of up to three years in duration.

9. What documents are needed in order to apply?

Please refer to the Application Package section of the Applicant Guide for Skills Link and Career Focus Programs.

Interested employers and organizations can also consult the Proposal Development section of the Applicant Guide for help in developing a proposal.