Employment and Training

The following guide on Employment and Training is a document designed to help you navigate through some of the most common Federal and Provincial government employment and training programs available in New Brunswick. Although many of your questions will be answered in this document, the list given here is by no means exhaustive.

Before proceeding, reference should be made to the Business Start-up in New Brunswick Guide for information on the steps involved in establishing a new business in New Brunswick. You may also want to consult our complete List of New Brunswick Guides.

Note:  You will notice that throughout this publication, there are some references made to other relevant documents ("see the document...")  If you are using the Web, simply click on the links provided. If you are reading this publication from a print copy and would like to obtain those additional documents, please call the Canada / New Brunswick Business Service Centre at 1-800-668-1010 and we will provide you with copies.

For further information on individual programs identified herein, contact the respective governing body or the Canada / New Brunswick Business Service Centre. Because this document is only meant as a guide, the Canada / New Brunswick Business Service Centre will not accept responsibility for business decisions made based on the information provided.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Financial Assistance

1.1  Youth Employment Strategy
1.2  Sectoral Career Focus Program
1.3  Workforce Expansion
1.4  Student Employment and Experience Development (SEED) Program
1.5  Work Ability
1.6  NRC Science Collaborative Research Internships

2. Management Services

2.1  Service Canada Centres
2.2  Training and Skills Development
2.3  Employment Services Program
2.4  Labour Market Information (LMI)

3. Regulations

3.1  Labour Program
3.2  Record of Employment (ROE)
3.3  Payroll Deductions
3.4  Social Insurance Number (SIN)
3.5  Protection of Personal Information: Your Responsibilities

4. Other

4.1  Human Resources Management
4.2  NB Jobs

5. Canada / New Brunswick Business Service Centre

1.  Financial Assistance

1.1  Youth Employment Strategy
The Government of Canada created the Youth Employment Strategy to help young Canadians (15 to 30) obtain career information, develop skills, find good jobs and stay employed.  This national strategy offers a broad range of initiatives under three programs:

For more information, visit the Youth Employment Strategy Web site at: http://www.youth.gc.ca/yoaux.jsp?&lang=en&flash=1&ta=1&auxpageid=707 or contact the Youth Info Line at 1-800-935-5555 .

1.2  Sectoral Career Focus Program
The Sectoral  Career Focus Program is a national initiative between the Government of Canada and sector councils and cross-sectoral organizations. It constitutes a component of the Youth Employment Strategy. Through the Program, sector councils help employers in hiring recent graduates by offering wage subsidy of up to a third of the participants' salary ($15,000 maximum).

For more information, see the document Sectoral Career Focus Program or visit Human Resources and Social Development Canada's Web site at www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/hip/hrp/gcs_spi/scfp.shtml.

1.3  Workforce Expansion
The Workforce Expansion program provides wage subsidies to eligible employers that intend to create permanent employment, or annually recurring seasonal jobs, in New Brunswick as well as assistance to eligible individuals to help them start their own business or become self-employed.

The Workforce Expansion program has two components:

• Employer Wage Reimbursement
  Employer Wage Reimbursement covers a portion of the cost of hiring unemployed individuals while they are being trained and gaining experience. You can receive a wage subsidy for 24 weeks for each additional year-round job you create and up to 14 weeks for each additional seasonal job. The amount of wage subsidy you receive (to a maximum of $8.00 per hour) will depend on the type of job you create, and the type of client you hire.

For more information, see the document PSETL-Employer Wage Reimbursement.

• Self Employment Benefits
  Self Employment Benefits can offer you various types of assistance during the start-up period of your business. Assistance can include coaching, ongoing technical advice and financial support. A Self Employment Benefits Coordinator hired by Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour will help you develop a business plan and guide you through the necessary steps to get your business up and running.

For more information, see the document PSETL-Self Employment Benefits.

For further information on the Workforce Expansion program, see the document  PSETL-Workforce Expansion, call 506- 453-3818 or visit the provincial Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Web site at: http://www.gnb.ca/0311/0001e.htm.

1.4  Student Employment and Experience Development (SEED) Program
The Student Employment and Experience Development (SEED) program helps students gain employment experience through summer jobs, entrepreneurship opportunities and co-op placements.

The SEED program benefits participants by :

• providing students with work experience and exposure to potential career options,
• helping students finance their education,
• exposing students to entrepreneurship as a potential career option, and
• providing employers the opportunity to hire additional staff during the summer months.

Components of the SEED program are:
Summer Employment Placements
Student Entrepreneurship
Co-op Placements

For additional information on the SEED program, see the document PSETL-Student Employment and Experience Development (SEED) Program call 506- 453-3818 or the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour nearest regional office. Or visit the Web site at: http://www.gnb.ca/0311/0001e.htm.

1.5  Work Ability
Although the Work Ability program clients are normally hosted by municipalities, non-profit groups and provincial government departments, private sector employers may participate. As the employer, you must be able to provide the experience and skills development for the duration identified in the participant's employment action plan and be willing to complete a participant assessment.

In addition, a number of other guidelines apply to this program. They are:

• approvals are not automatic and are based on the needs of the unemployed client as identified in their employment action plan, which is mutually determined by the unemployed client and the Employment Counselor;
• funding is only available in instances where the jobs are in addition to regular employment levels;
• funding can not be used to convert part-time positions to full-time positions;
• funded jobs can not displace or replace existing staff or volunteers who are on layoff, vacation or parental leave;
• funded jobs can not be paid exclusively by commission or piece rate basis;
• funds can not be used to create jobs already funded under another government program;
• family members, or officers or directors of the applying organization, can not be hired to fill positions funded through the Work Ability program;
• funded jobs must comply with all provisions of collective agreements between the employer and unions.

Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour will reimburse the employer minimum wage (to a maximum of 40 hours per week), plus the employer's share of benefits. The employer is responsible to pay the Workplace, Health, Safety and Compensation Commission premiums. We encourage employers to top-up wages whenever possible.

For additional information on the Work Ability program, call 506- 453-3818 or the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour nearest regional office. You may also see the document  PSETL-Work Ability , or visit the Employment Programs Internet site at: http://www.gnb.ca/0311/0001e.htm.

1.6  NRC Science Collaborative Research Internships
This program recruits under-employed or unemployed graduates and matches them with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in collaborative research with the National Research Council and the Communications Research Centre (CRC ) of Industry Canada.

SMEs are responsible for locating and hiring interns, but will do so in consultation with the collaborating NRC or CRC laboratory.

Interns receive direct salary support from the SME for up to six months. However, the SME or the collaborating laboratory may continue to provide support after the end of the internship period.

SMEs and collaborating institutes should refer to the Campus WorkLink(http://campusworklink.workopolis.com/servlet/Content/wcjobseeker/en/index?gateway=campusen) and the regional HRSDC offices (Human Resources and Social Development Canada) to locate suitable candidates.
 
Interested graduates should provide the Campus WorkLink and the HRSDC office nearest to them with information on their training and experience. They may also contact SMEs directly.

For more information, see the document NRC Science Collaborative Research Internships or visit the Web site at:
http://irap-pari.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/english/youthinitiatives_e.html#collaborative

2.  Management Services

2.1  Service Canada  Centres
Service Canada Centres (SCCs) deliver the Employment Insurance and Social Insurance Number programs. S CCs also deliver a variety of employment related programs and services. The programs and services may vary by province or territory, depending on/or if there is a Labour Market Development Agreement between Canada and the province or territory.

For further information, please call your local Service Canada Centre (check the Government of Canada listings in the blue pages of your telephone directory for Centres in your area). You may also see the document  Service Canada Centres of Canada or visit the Human Resources and Development Canada's  Web site at: www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/our_offices.shtml.

2.2  Training and Skills Development
The Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, through the Training and Skills Development (TSD ) program, provides support to eligible Employment Insurance (EI) clients who require training or academic upgrading as part of their employment action plan.

If you meet any of the following conditions, you may be eligible for support under TSD :

• be a resident of New Brunswick or a First Nation Community in New Brunswick;
• be unemployed and be out of the public school system for at least three years;
• not have attended full-time post-secondary training within the last 12 months;
• have an active Employment Insurance Benefits claim or a claim that has ended within the last three years, or have received maternity or parental benefits within the last five years;
• have an Employment Action Plan that has been developed with a Training and Employment Development Employment Counsellor.

For additional information, call 506- 453-3818 or the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour nearest regional office. You may also see the document PSETL-Training and Skills Development , or visit the Employment Programs Web site at: http://www.gnb.ca/0311/0001e.htm. 

2.3  Employment Services Program
Sometimes individuals need help to enter and stay in the labour force. Similarly, employers may require help to ensure the viability and sustainability of their workforce. Through the Employment Services Program, Post-Secondary Education and Training provides the financial and professional support needed to ensure the labour force needs of New Brunswick employers and workers are met.

The Employment Services program helps by:

• supporting employers, employee or employer associations, community groups and communities in developing and implementing strategies for dealing with labour force adjustments and meeting human resource requirements,
• assisting individuals with disabilities to gain access to training and employment by contributing to the cost of essential support services, and
• assisting unemployed individuals overcome employment barriers.

For additional information on the program, call 506- 453-3818 or the Department of Post-Secondary Education and Training nearest regional office. You may also see the document  PSETL-Employment Services Program, or visit the provincial Department of Post-Secondary Education and Training Employment Programs Internet site:  http://www.gnb.ca/0311/0001e.htm.   

2.4   Labour Market Information (LMI)
Human Resources and Social Development Canada provides labour market information at national, regional, and local levels. Information is available on prevailing wages rates, employment opportunities, industries, occupations, employers, training, and community assets.  Labour market information can assist a job seeker in finding work, someone planning a career to make their career decision, or an employer in their human resource planning or staff recruiting.

For further information, see the document  Labour Market Information Service or visit the LMI (Labour Market Information) Web site at http://www.gnb.ca/0126/0001e.htm. You may also call the provincial Labour Market Analysis Branch of the Department of Post-Secondary Education and Training at 506- 457-4859 .

3.  Regulations

3.1  Labour Program
The Labour Program promotes and enforces employer and employee compliance with Part III of the Canada Labour Code (Labour Standards) and the Fair Wages and Hours of Labour Act (Fair Wages). Services through local and regional offices include inspections, investigations of complaints and unjust dismissals; client education; and provision of informational material.

For further information, please call the Labour Program office in Moncton at 506- 851-6640 . You may also see the document Labour Standards in the Federal Jurisdiction Workplace Standards in the Federal Jurisdiction Workplace or visit the Web site at www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/nav/top_nav/program/labour.shtml.

3.2  Record of Employment (ROE)
The Employment Insurance Act and its regulations require every employer to complete a Record of Employment when an employee stops working. This is considered an interruption of earnings. This happens when the employment ends, or an employee leaves because of pregnancy, injury, illness, adoption leave, layoff, leave without pay, or dismissal.

For further information, please call the  Service Canada Centres . You may also see the document Record of Employment - ROE or visit the following Web site: www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/rxr-gxr.shtml.

3.3  Payroll Deductions
The Trust Accounts Division works to ensure that employers and workers meet the withholding, remitting and reporting requirements of the Income Tax Act , the Canada Pension Plan, the Employment Insurance Act and the Excise Tax Act. It also ensures they meet the requirements for provincial tax withheld at source, for all provinces except Québec.

For more information, call 1-800-959-5525 , see the document Trust Accounts Division or visit the Canada Revenue Agency's Web site at: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/payroll.

3.4  Social Insurance Number (SIN)
A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned to an individual and used in the administration of various programs, namely, Employment Insurance and the Canada Pension Plan. Employers who want to remit income tax deductions and premiums based on an employee's income must ensure that the employee produces a SIN card within three days after being hired.

For further information on Social Insurance Numbers, please call the nearest Human Resource Centre of Canada near you. You will find the number listed in the blue pages of your telephone directory, under Government of Canada. You may also see the document Social Insurance Number - SIN or visit the Web site at: www.sdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/cs/sin/0300/0300_in022.shtml&hs=sxn.

3.5  Protection of Personal Information: Your Responsibilities
The Guide to Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) helps businesses understand their obligations and comply to the Act. Since January 1, 2004 , the PIPED Act covers the collection, use or disclosure of personal information in the course of all commercial activities in Canada , except in provinces which have enacted legislation that is deemed to be substantially similar to the federal law.

For more information, see the document Protection of Personal Information - Your Responsibilities , call toll-free 1-800-282-1376 or visit the Web site: www.privcom.gc.ca/information/guide_e.asp.

4.  Other

4.1  Human Resource Management
Human Resources Management (HRM) is a Web site that offers a one-stop source of information for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to save time and money in meeting their human resource related needs and developing their business management skills. Everything from hiring subsidies, employment standards and recruitment services to statistics, studies and strategies for growth can be found on this useful site.

For more information, see the document  HR for Employers, or visit the HRM Web site at: http://www.hrmanagement.gc.ca/gol/hrmanagement/site.nsf/en/index.html.

4.2  NB Jobs
Be.Here.Now. is a Government of New Brunswick Initiative that's reaching out to all New Brunswickers. The focus is on its Web site (http://www.nbjobs.ca) where employers can post their job openings and career-oriented people can check out job opportunities.

All New Brunswick employers are invited to participate. The cost of a career posting is $375 for a 60-day exposure. For companies in continuous recruitment mode, there is an option to purchase a corporate profile, which gives a company a variety of posting options.

For additional information or if you wish to post current openings, please call toll-free 1-877-8NBJobs or 1-877-862-5627 , e-mail positions to NBJobs@CareerBeacon.com or visit the Web site: http://www.nbjobs.ca .

5.   Canada / New Brunswick Business Service Centre

The Canada / New Brunswick Business Service Centre is an innovative partnership of federal and provincial government departments. Both levels of government work with key private-sector organizations to create a seamless information network for entrepreneurs.

Our mission is to improve the start-up, survival and growth rates of small and medium sized enterprises by giving business people in every part of New Brunswick access to accurate, timely and relevant information and referrals.

What can we do for you? We can guide you in the right direction! We can give you the information you need! We are your best source of comprehensive business information!

The Canada / New Brunswick Business Service Centre is accessible province-wide and free of charge. You may reach us through our toll-free number or visit us with your questions. Our office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. , Monday to Friday. We also provide a 24-hour business information service, seven days a week, through our Web site.

Here's how to reach us:  

Canada/New Brunswick Business Service Centre
Ground Floor, Barker House
570 Queen Street
Fredericton, New Brunswick  E3B 6Z6
Telephone: 506-444-6140
Fax: 506-444-6172
Toll-free (information): 1-800-668-1010 (Atlantic region only)
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: cbscnb@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.cbsc.org/nb
Hours of operation: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday - except Government holidays

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Links Policy
Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.