Frequently Asked Questions

Students/Graduates

How old do I have to be?
An eligible summer student and graduate participant must be between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment.
Can I participate in an internship if I am receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits?
Participants in a Career Focus (internship) program cannot be receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while employed with YCW.
Can I get a grant?
No. Young Canada Works gives wage subsidies to eligible employers who are then responsible for hiring eligible participants. Eligible candidates can apply directly online to available YCW job opportunities.
Can I choose a city or a province or territory to work in?
You can search for YCW job opportunities by program, city, province or territory and apply to the positions that interest you.
When and where do I apply?
There is no deadline to submit an application; however, it is recommended you submit an application before the summer. Submit your application online. Approved employers will have access to the candidate inventory list. It is strongly encouraged that you apply directly to any YCW job opportunities that interest you.
I'm disabled, what are my options?
If you have a disability you may be eligible for part time work.
Can I get financial help for transportation and accommodation?
YCW in Both Official Languages will offer a housing allowance and will cover the travel costs for one round trip between the student's residence and the job location for students who travel more than 125 km from their residence to their summer job.

YCW in Heritage Organizations may cover transportation costs for students who travel more than 125km from their primary residence to their summer job. Applications for travel assistance are made through your employer.


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I worked with YCW before. Can I apply again?
Yes, for YCW summer jobs, but priority will be given to new applicants.

No, for YCW internship programs, participants must not have previously participated in or been paid under this or any other Career Focus internship program funded under the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy.

Once I'm hired, who do I ask questions to about pay and travel reimbursement?
For questions related to your pay speak to your employer.

For questions related to travel reimbursement contact your delivery organization.

What reports will I have to complete and when?
You will be asked to complete a candidate eligibility form by your employer online prior to your hiring to ensure eligibility criteria are met.

A staffing report must be completed in your first week of work.

An end of work term report must be completed on your last day of work.

An evaluation questionnaire should be completed at the end of your employment.

You will be able to find all required reports by logging into your YCW online account after the delivery organization verifies that you meet the YCW eligibility criteria.

We invite you to submit your stories and pictures so we may use them for promotional purposes.

Do I have to be a full-time student prior to my summer job?
Yes. Eligible participants must have been a full-time student (as defined by your educational institutions) in the semester preceding the YCW job.

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How much will I be paid?
In general, pay rates for YCW jobs are in line with industry norms in the region where you work.

YCW for Aboriginal Urban Youth has specific pay rates depending on the level and year of education.

Employers

Am I eligible?

Summer Work Experience (Summer jobs programs)

YCW for Aboriginal Urban Youth
Only Aboriginal friendship centres and Provincial/Territorial Associations (PTA) affiliated with the National Association of Friendship Centres may apply. However, Aboriginal organizations that do not meet this criterion may be eligible to apply to other YCW programs.

YCW in Heritage Organizations
Your organization is eligible if it is:

  • an incorporated, non-profit organization in Canada with a heritage mandate, such as a museum, archives, library, cultural centre, historical society, heritage site*, natural history centre with a collection (such as a zoo, botanical garden or herbarium.**);
  • an educational or cultural institution that has distinct objectives, programs and budget related to heritage;
  • a non-profit organization, under a provincial, territorial, regional or municipal government, that has distinct objectives, programs and budget related to heritage;
  • a professional heritage service organization;
  • an Aboriginal regional government or governing body (band/tribal council) and/or Aboriginal organization with a mandate to preserve and support Aboriginal heritage; and
  • stable and financially healthy.

*A "Heritage site" includes monuments, architectural heritage, historic or archaeological site or elements or structures of an archaeological nature, which have an historical, aesthetic, ethnological or anthropological value.

**NOTE: Naturally-occurring landscapes and related nature conservation organizations are not eligible under this program. (Please consult Environment Canada at website www.ec.gc.ca for alternative programs, such as the Science Horizon Youth Internship Program).

Your organization is not eligible if it is:

  • a federal department, federal agency or a Crown Corporation*;
  • a provincial or territorial government department;
  • for-profit.

*Note: Incorporated, non-profit heritage organizations in Canada with a mandate in support of a federal entity may be eligible if they are operationally independent of the federal entity and will be the employer of a student or intern.

YCW in Both Official Languages
Your organization is eligible if it:

  • is an incorporated private, public or non-profit organization, or a municipality;
  • is involved in national, provincial, territorial, municipal or community activities;
  • is willing to hire young people from other regions of Canada;
  • conducts activities in both official languages; and
  • is stable and in good financial health.

Note: Federal, provincial and territorial governments are not eligible for funds to hire participants under this program.


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Career Focus (Internship programs)

YCW for Building Careers in Heritage
This program supports several types of internships, including:

  1. Internships in Canada in:
    • Heritage fields related to working in a museum, archives, library or heritage site (24)
    • Conservation sciences (2)
    • Digital Technology (CHIN-members) (20)
    • Arts administration or an arts practice project (20)
  2. Internships abroad in:
    • Museology (4)
    • Digital Technology (CHIN-members)

Your organization is eligible if it is:

  • an incorporated, non-profit organization in Canada with a heritage mandate, such as a museum, archives, library, cultural centre. historical society, heritage site*, or natural history centre with a collection (such as a zoo, botanical garden or herbarium**);
  • an educational or cultural institution that has distinct objectives, programs and budget related to heritage;
  • a non-profit organization, under a provincial, territorial, regional or municipal government, that has distinct objectives, programs and budget related to heritage;
  • a professional heritage service organization;
  • an Aboriginal regional government or governing body (band/tribal council) and/or Aboriginal organization with a mandate to preserve and support Aboriginal heritage; and
  • stable and financially healthy.

*A “Heritage site” includes monuments, architectural heritage, historic and archaeological sites or elements or structures of an archaeological nature, which have a historical, aesthetic, ethnological or anthropological value.

**NOTE: Naturally-occurring landscapes and related nature conservation organizations are not eligible under this program. (Please consult the Environment Canada website at www.ec.gc.ca for alternative programs, such as the Science Horizon Youth Internship Program).

If your organization applies to the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN):

  • it must be a CHIN member organization; and
  • your intern's work must involve a technology component that directly supports CHIN's research, or produces content or tools for its online products.

If your organization applies to the Cultural Human Resource Council (CHRC), your project must

  • have an arts administration or an arts practice dimension.

Your organization is not eligible if it is:

  • a federal department, federal agency or a Crown Corporation*;
  • a provincial or territorial government department; and
  • for-profit.

*Note: Incorporated, non-profit heritage organizations in Canada with a mandate in support of a federal entity may be eligible if they are operationally independent of the federal entity and will be the employer of a student or intern.

YCW for Building Careers in English and French
Your organization is eligible if it:

  • is a private, public or non-profit organization;
  • is stable and in good financial health;
  • runs activities in both official languages, including but not limited to language schools, publishers, educational institutions, translation firms, visual and performing arts, film and video companies, and cultural and heritage organizations.

Note: Federal, provincial and territorial governments are not eligible for funds to hire participants under this program.


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How much financing does YCW offer an employer?

Summer Work Experience (Summer jobs programs)

YCW for Aboriginal Urban Youth
Each friendship centre/PTA is invited to apply for up to four positions, with the maximum budget being $30,000.00.

YCW in Heritage Organizations
YCW may contribute up to 75 percent of the student's employment costs (wages, benefits and other eligible expenditures). The maximum YCW contribution is $8,000 per job and $50,000 per employer.

If you are planning to hire an eligible student from another part of the country, YCW may defray some transportation costs, in accordance with established policies. If you are considering candidates from another part of the country, telephone interviews are recommended. After your selected candidate is approved by your delivery organization, they will discuss possible transportation arrangements.

If you have hired a participant with a disability, your delivery organization, upon prior approval, may reimburse reasonable costs related to job accommodation requirements up to a maximum of $3,000 per participant.

YCW in Both Official Languages
YCW may contribute up to 50 percent of the employment costs for youth hired by private and public sector organizations. It may contribute up to 70 percent for a non-profit organization.

Preference will be given to employers who offer a geographic exchange, hiring young people from another region of the country. The YCW program will cover lodging costs for students living more than 125 km from their workplace and pay the cost of one round trip between the student's residence and workplace, in accordance with its policies. If you are considering candidates from another part of the country, telephone interviews are recommended.

If you hire a participant with a disability, the delivery organization will reimburse reasonable costs, related to job accommodation requirements up to a maximum of $3,000 per participant.


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Career Focus (Internship programs)

YCW for Building Careers in Heritage
The maximum YCW contribution is $10,000 per internship in Canada; $12,000 for a science internship; and up to $15,000 for an international internship. At least 80 percent of the contribution is reserved for the intern's wages and allowances. The remaining 20 percent may be allocated, as agreed between you and your delivery organization, to cover administration costs related to the internship.

If you are planning to hire a student from another part of the country, YCW may defray some transportation costs, in accordance with established policies. After you select a candidate, contact your designated delivery organization to discuss transportation arrangements.

YCW for Building Careers in English and French
The maximum contribution is $13,000 per internship abroad. YCW may subsidize up to 75 percent of the costs of an internship, which may include wages, benefits and administration, lodging and transportation costs.

Your organization will be expected to demonstrate commitment to the project by matching or exceeding the federal contribution through financial and in-kind contributions.

If you hire a participant with a disability, the delivery organization will reimburse reasonable costs related to job accommodation requirements up to a maximum of $3,000 per participant.

How do I apply and what are the deadlines?
Applications must be submitted online on the YCW Interactive web site and must be submitted to the appropriate delivery organization.

All employer applications for Summer Jobs must be completed and submitted to by February 1, 2012.

For Internships and the Languages at Work component of Summer Jobs, please check with the appropriate delivery organization for deadlines.


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What are my obligations?

Employer Obligations

As a YCW employer you must adhere to the published Contractual Terms and Conditions of the program in which you are participating.

  1. RECRUITING AND HIRING

    As a YCW employer you must:

    • undertake a fair and balanced selection process (including open competitions and unbiased adjudication of eligible candidates) and respond to applicants in a timely manner (you may be required to explain your selection process in writing to your delivery organization).
    • ensure that all candidates are registered in the YCW on-line candidate inventory and meet program eligibility criteria (see Candidate Eligibility).
    • have your candidate(s) approved by the delivery organization before hiring by submitting a Candidate Eligibility Form.
    • comply with applicable federal, provincial and territorial laws, regulations and statutes, including occupational safety standards and employment insurance or equivalent.
    • acknowledge the Government of Canada in your promotional and media activities. Contact jct-ycw@pch.gc.ca for permission to use the YCW graphic symbol.

    Additionally, as the employer for Canadian internships, you must.

    • offer equitable opportunities to unemployed and underemployed post-graduate Canadian youth between 16 and 30 years of age

    Also, as the employer for international internships, you must:

    • confirm the intern's legal status (visa requirements, required financial guarantees, etc.).
    • subscribe to travel updates available from Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
    • provide intern placement details to your delivery organization a minimum of at least two months before the intern's expected departure.
    • advise interns with dual citizenship that they must travel with Canadian documents in order to receive services from the Government of Canada while abroad.
    • ensure that each intern, before leaving Canada, registers on the Consular Affairs Web site of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
      Note: Upon arrival at their destination, the intern must contact the nearest Government of Canada office (by telephone, e-mail or in person) to activate their registration. In an emergency, 24-hour assistance is available from Canadian missions. Interns can also call Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada collect at 613-996-8885 or send an e-mail to sos@international.gc.ca.
    Candidate Eligibility

    Any student or intern you hire must

    • be legally entitled to work in Canada.
    • be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada. Note: Non-Canadian students holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible.
    • be between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment.
    • meet the eligibility criteria of the program for which you have been approved.
    • be registered in the YCW on-line candidate inventory.
    • be willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment.
    • not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) while employed with YCW.

    In addition, student participants in a Summer Work Experience program must:

    • have been a full-time student (as defined by his or her educational institution) in the semester preceding the YCW job.
    • intend to return to full-time studies in the semester following the YCW job.

    Note: Priority is given to candidates who have not previously participated in a summer work experience program.

    Any participant in a Career Focus (internship) program must also:

    • be an unemployed or underemployed college or university graduate, that is, not employed full-time.
    • be a recent graduate who has graduated from college or university within the last 24 months at the start of employment.
    • not be receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while employed with YCW.
    • must not have previously participated in or been paid under this or any other Career Focus internship program funded under the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy.

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  2. TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

    As a YCW employer, you must:

    • provide each employee with a job description, orientation and a work plan that includes specific objectives.
    • provide training in the required job tasks, as required.

    As the employer for all internships, you must

    • participate in an intern work skills assessment and a personal objectives review process. Please see The Conference Board of Canada's Employability Skills 2000+ document for examples.
    • establish a skills development plan with the intern that is tailored to his or her needs.

    Also as an employer for international internships, you must:

    • consult the Country Travel Reports produced by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. Note: These reports include up-to-date information on safety, security, health information, and visa requirements.
    • monitor your intern's progress using electronic and telephone communications.

  3. SALARY AND BENEFITS

    As a YCW employer, you must

    • pay wages and benefits in a timely manner in accordance with provincial/territorial labour laws and regulations. Employee wages must be in line with industry standards in the region where they are working and commensurate with their training and work experience. The subsidized work week is a minimum of 30 to a maximum of 40 hours. YCW contributions are based on the actual salaries paid to employees.
    • pay participants from payroll and make the required source deductions.

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  4. TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS

    If transportation is required for the duties related to the job, you must:

    • provide adequate insurance coverage for youth required to drive a vehicle.
    • cover transportation costs for an employee who uses authorized public transportation.

    As the employer for international internships, you must:

    • provide health and travel insurance for participants while outside Canada, including coverage for repatriation for medical, or security and safety emergencies.
    • pay a living allowance abroad sufficient to maintain an equivalent standard of living to that in Canada, based on local conditions. Note: Living allowances and other financial support must comply with Canadian laws and regulations. Participants must receive wages (in Canada) and a living allowance (abroad) in a timely manner, and in keeping with industry standards. The Canada Revenue Agency considers the intern's income and supplementary benefits taxable income. Earnings in most cases are pensionable and insurable and must be declared by the interns.
    • Additional information and consular assistance may be obtained from Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. Contact information:
      • Telephone: 613-944-6788 or Toll-free: 1-800-267-6788
      • TTY: 613-944-1310 or TTY toll-free: 1-800-394-3472
      • Fax: 613-943-1054
      • E-mail: voyage@international.gc.ca

  5. REPORTING AND FOLLOW UP

    As a YCW employer you must:

    • keep an account of in-kind contributions.
    • ensure that you and your employee(s) complete(s) ALL of the following on-line forms at the YCW interactive Web site:
      • Candidate Eligibility Form (delivery organization approval is required prior to the hiring of a candidate)
      • Staffing Report (due the first week of the employment period)
      • Evaluation Questionnaire (due the last week of the employment period)
      • End of Work Term Report (due the last week of the employment period)

    Note: Some delivery organizations may have additional requirements.

    Also, as the employer for internships you must:

    • maintain a current address file for evaluation purposes and for tracking employment outcomes.
    • offer job-search support and follow-up at the end of the internship.


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When will I be notified of the decision regarding my application?
The approval process takes a minimum of two months from the deadline.

If you have questions, please contact your delivery organization.

What is a delivery organization and how do I select one?
Fourteen delivery organizations deliver the five YCW programs. Employers should choose a delivery organization with a mandate closest to your own. If approved, you will sign a contract with the delivery organization after your selected candidate's eligibility has been approved.
Once accepted as a potential employer, who is my contact for information?
The delivery organization with whom you sign a contract will be your contact for information.
What reports must I complete and when?
You must complete the following reports online for each employee:
  • Candidate Eligibility Form (delivery organization approval is required prior to the hiring of a candidate)
  • Staffing Report (due the first week of the employment period)
  • Evaluation Questionnaire (due the last week of the employment period)
  • End of Work Term Report (due the last week of the employment period)

Some delivery organizations may have additional requirements.

We invite you to submit your stories and pictures so we may use them for promotional purposes.


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Who can I hire?
You must ensure that the candidates you hire meet the YCW eligibility criteria

Candidate Eligibility

Any student or intern you hire must:

  • be legally entitled to work in Canada.
  • be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada. Note: Non-Canadian students holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible.
  • be between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment.
  • meet the eligibility criteria of the program for which you have been approved.
  • be registered in the YCW on-line candidate inventory.
  • be willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment.
  • not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) while employed with YCW.

In addition, student participants in a Summer Work Experience program must:

  • have been a full-time student (as defined by his or her educational institution) in the semester preceding the YCW job.
  • intend to return to full-time studies in the semester following the YCW job.

Note: Priority is given to candidates who have not previously participated in a summer work experience program.

Any participant in a Career Focus (internship) program must also:

  • be an unemployed or underemployed college or university graduate, that is, not employed full-time.
  • be a recent graduate who has graduated from college or university within the last 24 months at the start of employment.
  • not be receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while employed with YCW.
  • must not have previously participated in or been paid under this or any other Career Focus internship program funded under the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy.