Wage Subsidies

AVAILABLE WAGE SUBSIDY PROGRAM

The Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) Program is a wage subsidy program funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada that connects underemployed post-secondary graduates with digital employment opportunities at small businesses. The program was created to facilitate the introduction of highly-skilled young people into a rapidly-changing labour market. Lighthouse Labs is proud to have been chosen as a Delivery Organization for the second year to help administer this program.

Small businesses can apply with Lighthouse Labs to obtain the wage subsidy to cover 100% of an intern's salary for up to 6 months for a maximum of $24,500 for wages and MERCs, as well as up to $1,000 towards training.

  • Intern Positions

    Over 300 Intern Positions

  • Wage Subsidies

    100% Wage Subsidies

  • Locations

    Anywhere in Canada

  • Availability

    Until March 31st, 2022

Eligibility

To qualify as an employer, you must:

  1. Hire (for at least 3 months) an intern that meets the eligibility requirements.
  2. Offer a digital role enhancing the intern’s skills to set them up for success in the digital economy.
  3. Offer a paid placement with a wage subsidy of up to $24,500 for an internship that lasts up to 6 months ending on March 31st, 2022.
  4. Have the capacity to train and mentor the intern to enhance and maximize the intern’s experience.
  5. Create a learning plan and allow the intern to attend third-party training courses to enhance their skills.

To qualify as a student, one must:

  1. Be between the ages of 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the internship.
  2. Be a post-secondary graduate (not mandatory for candidates living in the Yukon, North West territories, and Nunavut).
  3. Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada and legally entitled to work.
  4. Self-assess as underemployed, meaning they are employed below their level of education, are unemployed or hold part-time employment.

As longer work experience has been proven essential to providing a quality internship, priority will be given to employers who can provide placements from approval date until March 31st, 2022, as well as those who are looking to hire youth facing employment barriers, Indigenous youth, members of a visible minority group, persons with disabilities, and women.

READY TO START?
LET'S GET CONNECTED.

Your next step is to complete the form by clicking the button below to express your interest in the program. Our team will confirm your eligibility and send you next steps in the following days.

Funding from canada