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Skills Link
Skills Link Title (PDF version, 719 kb)
The Skills Link program provides funding for organizations to help youth facing barriers to employment develop the broad range of skills, knowledge, and work experience they need to participate and succeed in the job market. 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 not completed high school.
Through Skills Link, youth benefit from a client-centred approach and ongoing support, which helps them complete activities successfully and, ultimately, find and keep a job. In turn, employers may receive financial assistance to cover costs associated with providing employment services and individualized, integrated support to youth.
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 people who have refugee status;
- legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations; and
- not in receipt of Employment Insurance benefits.
Contribution recipients can be businesses, organizations (such as not-for-profit, professional, or labour organizations, or employers), institutions (public health or educational), band/tribal councils, Aboriginal organizations, or municipal governments.
For more information and to apply, interested businesses and organizations should:
- call 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232), TTY: 1-800-926-9105;
- click on www.servicecanada.gc.ca (Youth and Students section);
- visit a Service Canada Centre.
