Youth Employment Strategy Guide for Applicants

Glossary of Terms

Applicant: an individual or group applying to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada for funding under one or more of the Youth Employment Strategy programs.

Applicant plan: See Employment action plan.

Case management: a process by which a participant is provided with guidance and support while working through an employment action plan.

Career-related work experience: a type of activity through which participants gain employment experience and skills related to their field of studies and/or employment goals.

Client assessment: a process by which an individual's employability assets, issues and needs are identified, as well as their employment goals.

Coaching: within a workplace setting, coaching is a way of transferring knowledge and skills from an expert to a learner. Typically, it is through coaching that the participant learns to perform a particular role or function within the employer's organization while also developing employability skills.

Community: a town or city served by a Human Resource Centre of Canada, or a group of stakeholders that has a particular interest in a given client group, i.e., a community of interest.

Community service: a type of activity through which a participant develops life and employability skills while working in a team and providing a service to the community.

Contribution: a conditional transfer payment to an individual or organization for a specific purpose pursuant to a contribution agreement that is subject to being accounted for and audited.

Contribution agreement: an undertaking between a donor department, such as Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and a prospective recipient of a contribution which describes the obligations of each.

Contribution recipient: a generic term used to describe an individual or group that has been successful in receiving Human Resources and Skills Development Canada funding and therefore begins to receive contribution funds as agreed to under the terms of a contribution agreement. A contribution recipient may be an individual, community group, business, workers' association, non-profit organization, voluntary organization, Aboriginal group, or an eligible government department/agency.

EI client: an unemployed individual:

1. in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI) benefits; or
2. for whom an unemployment benefit period has been established or has ended within the 36 months prior to the date of requesting assistance; or
3. for whom a claim for maternity or parental benefits has been established within 60 months prior to the date of requesting assistance, after which the individual remained out of the labour market in order to care for a newborn or newly adopted child and is now seeking to re-enter the labour force.

Employability skills: skills needed to enter, stay and progress in the world of work.

Employment action plan: a record of the activities an individual will undertake to achieve employment.

Entrepreneurial skills: skills that enable an individual to effectively organize, manage and assume responsibility for a business or other enterprise.

Intervention: an activity in which a young person participates in order to significantly advance toward an employment goal. The young person usually receives income support (allowance or wage) while participating in an intervention.

Life skills: a range of behaviours and abilities needed for an individual to function effectively within society.

Living expenses: includes only basic' living expenses such as food, clothing, shelter, medical attention (necessary - as opposed to optional medical expenses - that are not covered by the provincial health care plan) and utilities (water, heat, telephone and hydro).

Mentoring: a person-to-person relationship that fosters personal and professional development through guided learning. The mentor is an experienced person who agrees to help and support someone who is in transition or planning their career. The protégé is a less experienced person who benefits from the help and support of a volunteer mentor in carrying out a career plan.

Overhead costs: include costs such as wages and employment-related costs for staff, licenses, permits, fees for professional services, bank charges, utilities, material, supplies, travel, insurance, disbursement for research and technical studies, disability needs, rental of premises, leasing or purchase of equipment, audits, assessment and evaluations.

Participant: an individual who actively participates in project activities.

Person with a disability: someone who voluntarily identifies him or herself as having a permanent physical or mental impairment that restricts his or her ability to perform daily activities.

Planning: a process through which youth issues and needs within the geographic community are identified and strategies are developed to meet these issues and needs.

Project: a generic term applying to all aspects of the administration of a contribution agreement.

Project Coordinator: an individual hired by the contribution recipient to manage the overall project and ensure the goals and objectives of the project are met.

Service: a form of assistance that helps a young person establish and/or progress toward an employment goal. The young person usually does not receive income support (in the form of an allowance or wage) while being provided with a service.

Skill enhancement: the improvement of generic competencies required for most occupations, and specific competencies associated with performing in a particular occupation.

Stakeholders: private businesses, associations, non-governmental organizations and/or government departments that have a clear interest and role in addressing labour market issues. This relationship does not imply a financial investment.

Unemployed: youth are considered unemployed when they:

1. are not employed at all; or
2. are in receipt of a notice of imminent lay-off; or
3. must leave their current occupation due to medical reasons; or
   
4. 1. are working no more than eight hours per week and are being paid low wages (minimum wage or slightly more), and demonstrate that they have been actively seeking increased employment; and
   2. are unable to support themselves and/or their family financially with the income from their employment.

Work experience: a type of activity through which a participant can gain employment experience and skills in an on-the-job learning environment.

More information for employers

More information for youth

About the Youth Employment Strategy

Thirteen Government of Canada departments and agencies work in partnership with business, labour, industry, not-for-profit and voluntary organizations, rural and remote communities and all levels of government to help young people get the information and develop the skills and work experience they need to prepare for and participate in the world of work. To read more about this initiative click here  or call Youth Info Line: 1 800 935-5555.