Skills Link Program
The Skills Link program helps youth facing barriers to employment to learn and develop the broad range of skills and work experience they need to participate in the job market.
- Background information
- Who can participate?
- Who are the recipient organisations?
- How to apply?
- How are projects selected?
- More information
- Other Federal Government departments delivering Skills Link
- More information for employers and youth
Background information
Skills Link was developed to assist youth in various circumstances, including those who:
- are single parents;
- are of Aboriginal descent;
- have disabilities;
- are recent immigrants;
- live in rural and remote areas; or
- have dropped out of high school.
Through Skills Link, youth benefit from a client-centred approach and ongoing support, which helps them to complete work tasks successfully and, ultimately, find and keep a job. In turn, employers may receive financial assistance to cover the costs associated with providing employment services and individualized, integrated support to youth.
Who can participate?
To qualify for Skills Link, participants must be:
- between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive);
- in need of assistance to overcome barriers to employment;
- out of school;
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or have refugee status;
- legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations; and
- not in receipt of Employment Insurance benefits.
Who are the recipient organisations?
Contribution recipients can be:
- businesses
- Crown corporations
- organizations (including not-for-profit, professional, employer and labour associations)
- public health and educational institutions
- band/tribal councils
- municipal governments.
How to Apply
Interested employers should contact their local Service Canada Centre and consult the Youth Employment Strategy Guide for Applicants. The guide helps applicants develop proposals for federal funding offered by Service Canada under the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy. It also sets out the specific roles and responsibilities that must be met in projects approved for funding.
The guide provides information about the three programs under the Youth Employment Strategy:
- Skills Link (this page)
- Career Focus
- Summer Work Experience
Interested youth should contact their local Service Canada Centre for more information and to find out how to apply.
How are projects selected?
Project selection is based on:
- local community needs;
- innovative approaches;
- targeted participant selection;
- relevant skills enhancement and work experience;
- possibility of long-term employment;
- contributions of sponsors or partners; and
- funding availability.
More information
To obtain further information about Service Canada and its programs, please contact your local Service Canada Centre.
Other Federal Government Departments Delivering Skills Link
More information for employers and youth
- Applicant Guide for Skills Link and Career Focus programs
- Canada Student Loans Program
- Career Exploration Resources
- Essential Skills
- Youth Employment Strategy programs
- Other government YES programs
- Youth Awareness
- Youth Employment Information Products and Services
- Youth.gc.ca
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.