Jobs for Youth - Private Sector Component

The Private Sector Component of the Jobs for Youth Program is designed to create jobs for Island youth by providing a financial incentive to private sector employers to hire new employees.

The Program is funded by the Government of Prince Edward Island and administered by the PEI Employment Development Agency.

Objectives
The objectives of the Program are:

1. to  encourage private sector employers in Prince Edward Island to create new employment opportunities for Island students; and,
2. to provide Island students with meaningful work experience in their local communities which will assist them in making the school-to-work transition.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible employers can include new or existing businesses on Prince Edward Island.  

Eligible employees must be registered with the Central Jobs Registry of the Employment Development Agency.

Students must be:

• 16-29 years of age;
• have a minimum of Grade 10 education by September;
• have attended school full-time in the year of application, and intend to return to school full-time in the current year;
• be residents of Prince Edward Island and entitled to work in Canada;
• be registered with the Central Jobs Registry of the PEI Employment Development Agency;
• must not be members of the employer's immediate family.

*Members of the immediate family of the employer or a member of the immediate family or an officer, director, or management personnel of the employer's firm (immediate family is defined as father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, brother, or sister).

Position Eligibility
Student positions must conclude by the end of August.  Student positions must be from a minimum of eight weeks and a maximum of 12 consecutive weeks.

Employers must fill approved positions with students registered with the Central Jobs Registry.

Positions must not reduce or otherwise affect the security of work hours of any existing employee.

Positions receiving wage support from other provincial or federal boards or agencies are not eligible.

Any type of legal work activity can be assigned to the position except domestic work or activities which contribute to the enhancement of personal property not used solely for business purposes.

Employers bidding on contracts must not use subsidized positions to underbid.

Where applicable, positions must meet with the acceptance of union officials.

Positions cannot begin prior to application approval nor can positions be filled or refilled without prior permission.

Summary

Project sponsors must complete an application form and return it to the Employment Development Agency by April 1st. Positions will be approved, reduced or rejected based on program criteria, availability of funds or type of position.  Program funds will be allocated on a regional basis to ensure funds are distributed across the Province.  Final approval is vested with the Employment Development Agency.

Amount of Assistance
The Employment Development Agency will reimburse to the employer $3.72 per hour paid to the approved position for up to 40 hours per week for 8 - 12 weeks.  The minimum of thirty-five work hours must be provided to a position in any single week.  

Employers are responsible for the employer's share of employee benefits, such as:  EI, CPP, and Workers Compensation premiums and the cost of materials, supplies, rentals, etc.

Copies of the project's payroll records must accompany all claims for reimbursement and be submitted within 30 days of the project's completion.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers are responsible for:

1. interviewing prospective employees;
2. Complying with Program guidelines and all other statutes, regulations, and bylaws that may be applicable;
3. Supervising employees;
4. Selecting employees from the Central Jobs Registry;
5. Placing trainees on their payroll, making appropriate deductions, and issuing pay cheques;
6. Allowing staff of the Employment Development Agency to inspect payroll records during or after the payroll period;
7. Employers may dismiss or suspend an employee if the employee is unable to satisfactorily perform his/her duties.  Notice of dismissal must be given in writing to the employee by the employer.
8. The employer must notify the Employment Development Agency should an approved position become vacant.  Depending on the circumstances, the Agency may fund a replacement.

Prince Edward Island Contact(s):
PEI Employment Development Agency
1st Floor Sullivan Building
P.O. Box 2000
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island  C1A 7N8
Telephone: (902) 368-5805
Fax: (902) 368-5909