Supporting Canada as a Global Leader in Environmental Workforce Solutions
For young Canadians interested in an environmental career, ECO Canada offers support through vital on-the-job work experience and skills training.
ECO Canada is committed to helping young Canadians get ahead in the environmental sector by administering wage subsidies to employers through the federal government’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy program.
ECO Canada has been offering wage subsidies to eligible employers for the past 20 years and has helped to create over 10,000 jobs so far. It’s a win-win situation for both employers and Canada’s next generation of environmental workers; employers benefit from access to a steady talent stream and recent graduates gain valuable on-the-job work experience and essential skills training.
Why the emphasis on youth? Bringing younger members of the workforce into organizations introduces fresh perspectives and the latest knowledge and skills as well as youthful energy and enthusiasm – all essential qualities for innovation.
Support through capacity and skill-building work terms
Funded by the Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Science Horizon Internship program is designed to help youth get a start in the environmental sector while benefitting Canada’s green economic growth in the clean technology and clean technology sectors.
The internship program offers a wage subsidy up to 80% for eligible employers who hire youth or recent graduates for full-time roles in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines.
Additionally, the Digital Skills for Youth program funds part-time environmental jobs that are focus on digital technologies.
“We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has made finding jobs difficult, especially for young Canadians. We also know that young people want to be part of the transition to a cleaner future. The Science Horizons Youth Internship program brings together youth and job opportunities to support Canada’s next generation of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) leaders and a healthier planet for future generations,” says The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
ECO Canada also assists underrepresented groups for employment with a large focus on Indigenous youth, rural and remote areas, women in STEM, visible minorities, and those underemployed.
One such initiative is the Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources (BEAHR) programs for Canada’s Indigenous communities, which blend western environmental science with traditional elder knowledge. The courses provide youth with the cultural, technical, and soft skills to be work-ready for an environmental career. BEAHR graduates can go on to receive job funding through some of the internship programs to gain environmental work experience.
Investing in the next generation of green leaders
Through ECO Canada’s programs, employers can grow their teams and invest in the next generation.
ECO Canada is currently on track to fund 3,000 job placements by the end of 2021. Interested organizations can get approved for funding online.
If help is needed to find an applicant, the new ECO Canada job board with AI matching technology streamlines the recruiting process by matching qualified job seekers with roles.
To apply for funding or search for jobs, visit eco.ca/job-funding.
Tags: Indigenous communities