An independent registry of Northern Ontario funding Data updated Aug 17, 2026 · CC-BY-4.0
Northern Ontario Grants
Next intake not announced Partly repayable

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) Program

by Employment and Social Development Canada

Also known as: YESS · Youth Employment Strategy · YESS Program - Youth Focused Projects

The YESS Program funds organizations, mainly nonprofits, to deliver employment supports for youth aged 15-30 facing barriers: skills training, mentorship, wraparound services, and paid work experiences. Funding flows through periodic national calls for proposals, not continuous intake (2025 saw $23M+ across 35+ new projects, reported). Northern Ontario employers and youth access it through funded delivery organizations rather than applying to ESDC directly.

Amount
Amount not published by funder
Instrument
Conditional contribution
Status
Next intake not announced watch this page or subscribe to the calendar
Who qualifies
Not for profit organizations, other organizations serving youth (varies by call)
  • Funds organizations that deliver employment supports to youth aged 15-30 facing barriers to employment, youth and employers access services through funded organizations, not by applying to ESDC
  • National program; eligible organization types are defined per call for proposals

canada.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Reported, verification pending

Application process

  1. Watch for a national call for proposals on canada.ca (or contact YESS-SCEJ@servicecanada.gc.ca)
  2. Apply during the open call window
  3. Funded organizations then deliver wraparound supports, skills training, and paid work experiences to youth

canada.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Reported, verification pending

Common questions

Can my business get YESS money to hire a young person?

Not directly, YESS funds delivery organizations, which then arrange paid work experiences with employers. Ask local employment-services nonprofits whether they hold YESS funding. For direct hiring subsidies, look at Canada Summer Jobs or SWPP instead.

When is the next call for proposals?

Calls are periodic with no fixed annual date. Check the Youth Focused Projects page on canada.ca or email YESS-SCEJ@servicecanada.gc.ca for current status.

How is YESS different from Canada Summer Jobs?

CSJ is a wage subsidy paid directly to employers through an annual application window. YESS funds organizations to run programs for youth facing employment barriers, a project grant to service providers, not an employer subsidy. Both sit under the same federal youth strategy.

Apply

Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there:

www.canada.ca