Yukon government offers wage subsidy to employers who hire people

The Government of Yukon now offers a temporary wage subsidy to encourage employers to hire people who have been unemployed for a long time or who are having difficulties entering the workforce.

“The Government of Yukon is committed to increasing participation in the labour force and developing workplace skills. This initiative focuses on helping people who may not be eligible for existing employment programs,” Education Minister Patrick Rouble said. “This subsidy program is an incentive for employers to provide opportunities to people they would not normally hire for normal business operations.”

“As we emerge from the global economic recession, it is more important than ever that all Yukoners have the opportunity to develop the skills and experience they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. “By working with our provincial and territorial partners to support projects like this, the Government is taking action to create the best educated, most skilled, flexible and inclusive workforce in the world.”

Employment Central will be responsible for marketing, delivering and monitoring the program, and ensuring eligible clients are referred to work placements. The program provides an option for a work experience program, individual mentorship and job coaching. It also supports direct marketing and recruiting of employers for the program by case managers, and matching potential clients with eligible employers.

The total program budget is $200,000 and will run for a maximum of 26 weeks. All participants must complete their work placements by March 31, 2011. The maximum subsidy per client will be 60 per cent of the entry level fair market wage for the job, and up to $3,000 per client for costs associated with disabilities.

This initiative is funded through the Canada-Yukon Labour Market Agreement and the Canada-Yukon Labour Market Development Agreement. 

The Labour Market Agreement began in 2009-10 and will be in place for five years. The agreement supports people who are often excluded from the labour force including older workers, youth, First Nation people, social assistance recipients and people with disabilities.  

In relation to the Labour Market Development Agreement, the federal government transferred the responsibility to the Yukon government to design and deliver employment and skills training for eligible Employment Insurance residents.