Wage Subsidies
This list is not exhaustive but may provide employers with useful programs available at the federal and provincial level.
-
Canada Summer Jobs
An initiative of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. The program provides wage subsidies to employers from not-for-profit organizations, the public-sector, and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees, to create quality summer work experiences for young people aged 15 to 30 years. Funded employers are no longer restricted to hiring students: all youth aged 15 to 30 years may be eligible participants. Not-for-profit employers are eligible to receive funding for up to 100% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage. Public and private sector employers are eligible to receive funding for up to 50% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage.
-
Young Canada Works (YCW)
Offers eligible employers wage subsidies and access to a pool of talented youth with innovative ideas and competitive skills. YCW sponsors two summer jobs programs for students, and two internship programs for unemployed or underemployed college or university graduates.
-
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
A youth employment program that provides financial assistance to eligible companies so they can hire young talent to contribute to their innovation needs. In order to be eligible, a business must be incorporated, for-profit, 500 employees or less, and ready to enhance their innovation capacity. They must also offer an internship between 6 and 12 months. Opportunity seekers must be aged 15 to 30, graduates of a post-secondary institution, and a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or granted refugee status.
-
Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit
A non-refundable investment tax credit (ITC) equal to 10% of the eligible salaries and wages payable to eligible apprentices. Employers can claim up to $2,000 per year for each eligible apprentice.
-
Graduate to Opportunity (GTO)
Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) is helping to build a stronger workforce and retain young people in Nova Scotia with a salary incentive that makes it easier to hire recent graduates. Employers receive 25% of the first year’s salary – 35% if the new graduate is a member of designated diversity group – and 12.5% of the second year’s salary.
If you are an employer
Please visit the Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) Program page to find out if you are eligible and how to apply. For more information and support, please contact: Program Outreach Coordinator - Department of Labour and Advanced Education at yepinfo@novascotia.ca
If you are a opportunity seeker and looking to get an eligibility letter please contact: yepinfo@novascotia.ca with proof of graduation (a scanned copy of a diploma, or letter from the institution stating they have completed all necessary requirements) to receive a personalized electronic version you can include on our job board and application packages.
You can also visit the GTO Job Catalogue!
On the GTO website, on the right-hand side at the bottom of the ‘downloads’ section you will see a GTO Job Catalogue. This is a list of employers who have been recently approved for the program, and are likely recruiting a graduate. -
Innovate to Opportunity (ITO)
A salary incentive to help employers hire recent masters and PhD graduates for jobs that are focused on research and innovation that will help businesses begin, prepare for, or expand reports. The program is available to small and medium-sized businesses with up to 100 employees operating in Nova Scotia. The position must be new, permanent, full-time, be focused on innovation, and pay at least $60,000 a year. Employers receive 35% of the graduate’s salary in year 1, 20% in year 2, and 12.5% in year 3.
-
START Program
Financial incentives will be provided to employers with a labour need willing to support ready-to-work Nova Scotians. Incentives will vary depending on the type of employment offered and the skill level of the employee. The amount of the incentive depends on the kind of employment you offer and the skill level of the employee.
-
START Apprenticeship Program
Financial incentives to employers who register and employ apprentices as they progress through their apprenticeship program. Funding will be provided based on the completion of hours and training for each level of apprenticeship.
-
Co-operative Education Incentive
Provides wage assistance to organizations that offer career-related work experiences for university and college co-operative students. Employers who hire co-operative students for a term of 12-16 weeks and pay a minimum of $15.00 an hour + 4% vacation can receive a subside of $7.50 an hour. Employers can receive an advance payment for 60% of the work term subsidy and can combine the subsidy with other wage incentive programs.
-
GradWorks (NSCC)
GradWorks matches small-to-medium-sized business across Nova Scotia with skilled, talented NSCC graduates from three eligible programs: Human Resource Management, Industrial Engineering Technology, and Occupational Health and Safety. Employers in most business sectors are eligible to participate with a preference given to business-to-business organizations focused on export and innovation.
-
Options Youth (SMU)
An employment wage subsidy program facilitated by Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre that provides a wage subsidy to employers who hire opportunity seekers in need of assistance to overcome employment barriers. Employment barriers can include person with a disability, visible or ethnic minority, recent immigrant youth, single parent, etc.
-
Careers In Sustainability
Careers in Sustainability is raising awareness about Nova Scotia’s bioeconomy and its many benefits, including creating clean, low-carbon products from underutilized resources while providing new and exciting career opportunities for people from all backgrounds across the province. The program offers wage subsidies for both temporary internships and long-term careers, as well as support for short-term employee upskilling and specialized software to assist employers in opportunity seeker evaluation.