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 do I apply?
- How are projects selected?
- Additional information
- Other Federal Government departments delivering Skills Link
- Related programs and services
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 do I apply?
Employers
Employers should:
- consult the Applicant Guide for Skills Link and Career Focus Programs; and
- contact a Service Canada Centre.
The Applicant Guide for Skills Link and Career Focus Programs helps applicants to 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. It also provides information about two other programs under the Youth Employment Strategy: Career Focus and Summer Work Experience.
Youth
Interested youth should contact a Service Canada Centre for application information.
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.
Additional information
For additional information about Service Canada and its programs, please contact a Service Canada Centre.