Youth Effect
Funding for businesses in Northwestern Ontario to hire a full-time youth (18-29) for 15 weeks to work on an innovative project over the summer. Participants gain real-world experience, innovation training, and mentorship, while businesses benefit from fresh talent and support to drive growth.
- Businesses get hands on help with a project for 15 weeks over the summer
- Funding covers full time youth wage plus a wage top-up upon successful completion of the program
- Youth work on a clearly identified innovative project and achieve milestones
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Program Overview
For Youth
The Youth Effect Program offers youth (18-29) the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by working full-time for 15 weeks on an innovative project with a local business. Participants receive mentorship, leadership development, and innovation training through workshops and a 3 day retreat while building real-world skills and expanding their professional network.
Program Overview
For Companies
The Youth Effect Program provides funding for businesses to hire a full-time youth for 15 weeks to tackle a defined innovative project. Companies benefit from fresh talent, innovation tools, and the energy of youth to help achieve project milestones and drive business growth.
Company Applications Open January 13th - February 28th, 2025
Funding covers a full-time youth wage of $18/hr for 35 hours per week over 15 weeks, with a $2/hr youth wage top-up upon program completion, while businesses contribute $1,000
Youth Eligibility
- Must be between the ages of 18-29
- Must be located in Northwestern Ontario
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada
- Must be able to commit to full-time hours and participate in the full 15-week program
- Must not be related to the company applicant
- Should be interested in pursuing entrepreneurship as a career
Company Eligibility
- Must be a business or non profit based in Northwestern Ontario
- Must provide a meaningful innovative project for the youth to work on for 15 weeks
- Must comply with all Federal and Provincial employer payroll remittance requirements for the 15 weeks of employment
Contact Information
Abby Sherlock
Abby is the program coordinator for Youth Effect
- 1 807-768-6689
- 1 807-768-6689
- 1 807-768-6683
- abigail@nwoinnovation.ca
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of projects are eligible?
Projects must be innovative in nature. Examples of successful past projects include market research initiatives, product testing, prospecting for customers, developing new technologies, implementing new systems and business expansions.
What types of projects are ineligible?
Day-to-day business operational activities are ineligible. Examples of ineligible projects include:
Hiring a front-of-house staff member to manage daily customer interactions.
Completing regular inventory restocking or management tasks.
General bookkeeping, accounting, or payroll processing.
Maintaining existing marketing channels
Instead, eligible projects should focus on introducing new ideas, processes, or products that enhance or transform the business. If you’re unsure whether your project qualifies, please contact us for clarification.
Can startups apply?
Yes, startups can apply as long as they are a registered business that complies with all federal and provincial employer payroll requirements and can provide full time work for the youth throughout the duration of the program.
What are the youth requirements?
Youth are required to attend Youth will be required to:
o Attend a meet and great and graduation
o Participate in 3 peer-to-peer lunch sessions
o Take part in a 3-day leadership and entrepreneurship retreat
o Attend additional learning sessions over the 15 weeks
*Companies must give youth time to attend these sessions, and these sessions are paid as part of the subsidy