We were featured in True North Living where we spoke about our employment programs. Read the article below.
For young Canadians interested in an environmental career, ECO Canada offers support through vital on-the-job work experience and skills training ECO Canada has committed to helping young Canadians by administering wage subsidies through the federal government’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy program, accelerating the career pathways of the next generation of environmental leaders.
ECO Canada has been offering wage subsidies to eligible employers for the past 20 years. Employers benefit through access to a steady talent stream and recent graduates gain valuable on-the-job work experience and essential skills training.
Why the emphasis on youth? Younger members of the workforce bring fresh perspectives, the latest knowledge and skills, and youthful energy and enthusiasm to the job — all essential qualities for innovation.
Support through capacity and skill-building work terms
Funded by the ECO Canada Government of Canada, the Student Work Placement Program is designed to bridge the school-to-work transition. It offers a wage subsidy to eligible employers who hire students in the science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) and business disciplines. Work terms are flexible, with no age restrictions, and students don’t need to be enrolled in their school’s co-op program to participate. Funding applications are almost full for the upcoming summer session.
ECO Canada’s Science and Technology program provides internships in the natural resource sector that focus on environmental protection or processes with a positive environmental outcome. The program funds full-time positions and can help employers in rural and remote locations find qualified youth to fill job vacancies.
Other programs include the Science and Technology Internship program, which helps businesses hire young professionals under age 31 in full-time, permanent environmental positions, and the Digital Skills for Youth program, which funds part-time jobs that are environmentally related to the digital environment. “We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has made finding jobs difficult, especially for young Canadians. We also know that young people want to be part of the transition to a cleaner future.
The Science Horizons Youth Internship program brings together youth and job opportunities to support Canada’s next generation of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) leaders and a healthier planet for future generations,” says The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Other programs include the Science Horizons Youth Internship program, which helps businesses hire young professionals under age 31 in full-time, permanent environmental positions, and the Digital Skills for Youth program, which funds part-time jobs that are environmentally related to the digital environment.
“We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has made finding jobs difficult, especially for young Canadians. We also know that young people want to be part of the transition to a cleaner future. The Science and Technology Internship program brings together youth and job opportunities to support Canada’s next generation of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) leaders and a healthier planet for future generations,” says The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
ECO Canada also assists underrepresented groups for employment with a large focus on Indigenous youth, rural and remote areas, women in STEM, visible minorities, and those underemployed. “Our programs encourage employers to hire from underrepresented groups and help young people overcome barriers while building skills to help their future careers,” says Sarah Casorso, Senior Manager of Employment Programs at ECO Canada.
One such initiative is the Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources (BEAHR) programs for Canada’s Indigenous communities, which blend western environmental science with traditional elder knowledge. The courses provide youth with the cultural, technical, and soft skills to be work-ready for an environmental career. BEAHR graduates can go on to receive job funding through some of the internship programs to gain environmental work experience.
Investing in the next generation of green leaders
Through ECO Canada’s programs, employers can grow their teams and invest in the next generation.
ECO Canada is currently on track to complete 3,000 job placements in the ever-growing environmental sector by the end of 2021. Interested youth can upload their resumes to ECO Canada’s newly launched job board with AI matching technology.
To apply for funding or search for jobs, visit eco.ca/job-funding.
