April 30, 2018
Employers who hire a young person (aged 15 to 29) through one of the province’s various employment services can receive up to $2,000 through the Employing Young Talent Incentive.

Jeff Leal, Minister Responsible for Small Business, made the announcement on Apr. 3 at Morello’s Independent Grocer in Peterborough, Ont., alongside Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development (MAESD).

A $1,000 incentive is available to any small business with fewer than 100 employees who hires a young person through the provinces new Employment Service, or for larger companies who hire through Youth Job Connection.

An additional $1,000 retention incentive is also available after the person has been employed for only a few months.

Financial incentives are also available for hiring a high school student (15 to 18 years old) through the Youth Job Connection Summer program and additional financial help is available to offset training costs.

To qualify, employers must also prove they are licensed to operate in Ontario, comply with workplace, human rights and labour legislation, have workplace safety and liability insurance and offer job opportunities taking place in Ontario.

The incentives are part of a $124 million investment by the government to help youth aged 15 to 29 find a job through the Employing Young Talent Incentive.

For employers who hired youth clients through Employment Service before April 1, 2018, the first of their two $1,000 incentive payments will be delivered as a three-month retention incentive rather than as a payment upon hiring.

For full details, visit ontario.ca/page/hire-young-person.