Digital Skills for Youth

Looking to hire someone 30 and under this year?  You might be eligible for funding to subsidize related costs. 

Thank you for your interest in the Digital Skills for Youth Program. Due to high demand, the program is currently at capacity. Applications received now will be waitlisted and we will contact you if spots become available.

Interested in finding another hiring grant program? Innovate BC will soon launch an expanded Innovator Skills Initiative (ISI) program. The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation is investing $15 million in expanding the ISI program, to be more accessible and inclusive. If you’re interested in learning more when the opportunity opens, please sign up here.

Business Eligibility

A B.C. based company or non-profit,
Have less than 500 employees, 
Must provide internal mentorship to support the hire’s tech role.

Intern Eligibility

Must be between 15-30 years old,
Be a post-secondary graduate,
Be hired between April 1, 2021 and December 1, 2021,
Be working in a technology related position or supporting digital work,
Not be in receipt of EI during the course of the work placement,
Be legally entitled to work in Canada as a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person who has been granted refugee status,
Not be an immediate family member of the recipient or employer,
Reside, physically work in B.C., or have plans to return to BC,
Self-assess as underemployed, meaning they are employed below their level of education and/or hold part-time employment, or are unemployed,
Not have completed a DS4Y work placement in their lifetime, and,
Cannot be a university or college co-op student or intern.

Applications with Interns who self-identify as Indigenous peoples, official languages minorities, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and women will be given special consideration.

Steps to Apply

You might have hired a young professional or are looking to hire one, you can benefit from subsidized salary costs and help build our talent pool. 

The program will: 

Match underemployed young professionals/youth with SMBs and not-for-profits in digital related roles, 
Provide digital skills training so youth can successfully transition to the workforce, 
Increase employability and marketability of youth. 
The Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) program, funded by the Government of Canada, and delivered by Innovate BC, provides up to $25,500 so youth (aged 15-30) can successfully transition to the workforce.  
The program helps to increase the employability and marketability of youth in British Columbia, as well as match underemployed youth with B.C. SMEs and non-profits in all regions of the province.

Program Guidelines

Click below to download a copy of the program guidelines.

easyREG is specializing in providing educators in the public K-12 schools with an online conference management system. We have an internship opportunity for a recent post-secondary graduate who is currently underemployed and is interested to learn more about technology. In this role you will develop and maintain web applications, use issue and project tracking tools like Atlassian Jira, use Github to submit changes to our repositories, help with the creation of automated functional tests, and provide client support when necessary.

How long does it take to process an application?

Each individual step (Company Application, Intern Confirmation and Application, and Project and Training Plan) in the application process takes up to 15 business days to process. The Employer will be notified of their application status via email shortly after review.

 Can I apply to receive a Digital Skills for Youth grant before I hire an Intern?

Yes! You can receive conditional approval and must hire an Intern within 3 weeks of receiving conditional approval. Please note, the usual eligibility requirements concerning intern roles for work placements still stand.

Can I apply after the work term has already started?

Companies can apply for a grant retroactively for work terms that started in the past, with a start date no earlier than April 1, 2021. Please note that retroactive applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Are we eligible for Innovate BC’s Digital Skills for Youth grant if we received a Digital Skills for Youth grant from another organization in the past?

Yes, companies can receive multiple DS4Y grants, from multiple DS4Y providers, over their lifetime. However, an Intern can only receive funding for 1 DS4Y grant in their lifetime.

Are we eligible for a grant if we received other funding for the Intern?

Yes, grant stacking is permitted as long as the combined value of all grant funding does not exceed the Intern’s salary, training expenses and capital costs.

How long do I have to identify and hire an Intern once I have received conditional approval?

Employers should try to hire an Intern as soon as possible to get started with the project and meet the requirements of the placement. You should hire within 3 weeks of receiving conditional approval.

Are international students on work permits/visas eligible for the program?

No, to be eligible for the Digital Skills for Youth Program, Interns must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or refugees under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Can I keep the Intern as an employee following completion of the work placement?

Yes, we encourage retaining the Intern as an employee past the work placement where possible.

When will I receive the funds?

Employers can begin submitting reimbursement claims as early as one month after the hire date and as frequently as every month thereafter.

Reimbursement claims will be reviewed, and payments issued within 4-6 weeks of receipt via direct deposit.

Digital Skills for Youth

Looking to hire someone 30 and under this year?  You might be eligible for funding to subsidize related costs.

About the Program

Business Eligibility

Intern Eligibility

Key Dates

Steps to Apply

Tell me more about Digital Skills For Youth

Program Guidelines

Ready to Apply?

Current Opportunities

Social Media Specialist

IDS Internet Dispatch Services Internship

Web Application Developer (Internship)

Marketing Internship

.Net Developer (Must Live in BC)

Digital Marketing Specialist (Internship)

.Net Developer (Must Live in BC)

FAQ

Apply Now

Digital Skills for Youth

Looking to hire someone 30 and under this year? You might be eligible for funding to subsidize related costs.

About the Program

Business Eligibility

Intern Eligibility

Key Dates

Steps to Apply

Tell me more about Digital Skills For Youth

Program Guidelines

Ready to Apply?

Current Opportunities

Social Media Specialist

IDS Internet Dispatch Services Internship

Web Application Developer (Internship)

Marketing Internship

.Net Developer (Must Live in BC)

Digital Marketing Specialist (Internship)

.Net Developer (Must Live in BC)

FAQ

Apply Now

Looking to hire someone 30 and under this year?  You might be eligible for funding to subsidize related costs. 