Community Works Program

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Employers

Employers can include:

• community based organizations
• municipal governments
• Indian Bands
• Tribal Councils
• Métis Nations of Saskatchewan

Eligible Employees

Eligible employees must be:

• at least 18 years of age
• a resident of Saskatchewan
• legally eligible to work in Saskatchewan; and
• be in receipt of benefits or a training allowance through the: Saskatchewan Assistance Plan, Provincial Training Allowance or Employment Insurance.
  

OR

unemployed individuals:

• with an established Employment Insurance (EI) benefits period; or
• whose EI benefit period ended within the last three (3) years; or
• who received EI maternity or parental benefits within the past five (5) years and are re-entering the labour force after having left it to care for newborn or newly adopted children.

Summary

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

• To assist individuals to acquire the fundamental skills needed to fully participate in the workforce and to link them to sustained employment
• To assist organizations complete projects that will enhance community services and facilities

PROGRAM CRITERIA

Eligible Work Placement Employment

• Funding will be provided to employers who hire eligible individuals for job creation projects (individual or project based activities) that provide a direct benefit to the local or regional community
• The work placement position must provide on-the-job skills training which will enhance the employees ability to obtain further employment opportunities upon project completion
• The on-the-job skills training provided can be transferred to other related jobs in the community
• The employer demonstrates a commitment to assist the employee with finding other employment at the end of the work placement when there is no potential for ongoing employment
• Written consent from the bargaining agent in unionized work places is required
• Hiring must not take place prior to program approval
• Job positions must not displace or reduce the number of hours worked by other employees

FUNDING ASSISTANCE

Wage Subsidy

• Community based organizations, northern municipalities, Métis Nations of Saskatchewan, Indian Bands, and tribal councils are eligible for funding assistance up to a maximum of  $5,000 per work placement position
• All other municipalities are eligible for funding assistance up to a maximum of $3,000 per work placement position
• The program has the right to negotiate the level of funding based on individual employee and employer need

Employment Supports
In cases where a wage subsidy is not required, or where an employee requires assistance for special needs in addition to a wage subsidy, there may be funding assistance available for employment related supports such as mentoring, job coaching, equipment or supervisory costs.  Normally up to a maximum of $1,000 per work placement is available for eligible employee support costs.  Level and type of support will be determined based on the needs of the individual employee.

Application Forms

• Employers must complete an application form for funding assistance
• Applications for the Community Works Program are available at local offices, for a complete list of offices in Saskatchewan see the document Canada-Saskatchewan Career and Employment Services
• Applications should be submitted directly to the local office
• Applications will be assessed and approved based on the needs of eligible employees and the value of the project to the community
• Applications will be accepted by the program until all local funding has been committed
• The program has the right to limit the amount of funding to any one employer

Saskatchewan Contact(s):
Saskatchewan Community Resources and Employment
Web site: http://www.sasknetwork.ca