Apply for a subsidy to hire a summer student

Employer applications for STEP positions in summer 2024

The deadline for employer applications is November 3, 2023.  

The Student Training and Employment Program (STEP) offers wage subsidies to hire post-secondary students for summer jobs. The subsidy is $7.20 per hour for 450 to 600 hours of employment.

Why hire a summer student? 

Hiring post-secondary students can benefit your organization. Students bring new skills and different perspectives. Offering a summer placement can help them kick start their professional experience. 

All employers must agree to pay according to the following STEP wage scale*. Student wages are set at a minimum of $20.80 per hour. The wage corresponds to the student's level of post-secondary education.

• Completed 1st year: $20.80 per hour
• Completed 2nd year: $22.29 per hour
• Completed 3rd year: $23.85 per hour
• Completed 4th year or higher: $25.52 per hour

*These wages are based on the Treasury Board of Canada's pay scale for post-secondary students. If you are not a Government of Yukon employer, you may pay higher than these STEP wages.

As per the terms and conditions of the agreement, the employer wholly agrees to pay for any increased wage rates. The Department of Education will notify participating employers as soon as new rates become available. 

Are you eligible to apply? 

You can apply for funding if you are a:

• private-sector employer;
• non-government organization or agency;
• First Nation;
• municipal government; or
• Government of Yukon department.
   

You must also:

• be legally entitled to operate a business in Yukon;
• have an office in Yukon with a local contact person; and
• have been operating in Yukon for at least 1 year.

Eligible jobs

You can apply for funding if your student job:

• relates to a student’s field of study and will benefit the student’s future career;
• guarantees at least 450 hours of work;
• provides at least 32 hours of work per week;
• starts no earlier than May 1 and ends no later than September 1; and
• pays according to the STEP pay scale.

How to apply for STEP funding 

1. Complete your Employer Application/Agreement form. 
2. Submit your application before the deadline.
   In person: 1000 Lewes Boulevard in Whitehorse. Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
   Email: [email protected]
   Mail:
   Government of Yukon
   Employment Programs Officer (E-13)
   Box 2703
   Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6

Important dates for applying for STEP funding and hiring a student for summer 2024

• November 3, 2023: Deadline for you to apply for STEP funding.
• Early December 2023: We'll email you to let you know if your application was approved.
• Mid December, 2023: We'll publish STEP jobs on our website.
• February 2, 2024: Deadline for students to apply.
• Early March 2024: We'll send a hiring package to you, complete with instructions, forms, student applications and resumes.
• March 2024: You shortlist and interview applicants.
• April 2, 2024: Last day for you to make your job offer and notify students who were not successful in their interviews.
• April 12, 2024: Last day for you to submit a Results Form to us.
• May 1, 2024: Students may begin their STEP jobs.
• September 1, 2024: Students must complete their STEP jobs.
• October 1, 2024: Deadline for you to submit your final claims for wage reimbursement.

Regarding summer 2023 STEP

October 1, 2023 is the deadline for employers to submit their final claims for wage reimbursement for STEP jobs that ended on September 1, 2023.

Additional Information

• Third Party Liability Insurance coverage must be obtained or extended to cover employees under the program.
• If a collective agreement is in force, a written statement of union consultation and agreement to hire a student is required.

Eligibility

You can apply for a subsidy as a:

• private business
• municipality
• First Nation
• non-profit organization

You must have operated at least 1 year in Yukon before applying to the program.

Deadline

Applications are open as of February 1 and must be submitted before March 3, 2023. 
 

Who can you hire?

You can hire students and youth who are:

• legally entitled to work in Canada;
• a new employee, not currently working with your company; and
• not members of the employer's immediate family.

A student is a person over the age of 15 who attended a secondary, post-secondary or vocational school full-time during the current academic year for at least 1 semester. There is no maximum age for students.

A youth is a person between the ages of 15 and 25 who does not meet the definition of a student. To qualify, a youth must have been a Yukon resident since March 1, 2022.

Length of employment

Jobs range from 6 to 16 weeks, with a minimum of 30 hours per week. The period of employment must be between May 1 and September 1.

Amount of subsidy

The amount of the subsidy is $8.25 per hour to a maximum of 600 hours between May 1 and September 1.

Apply for a Yukon Summer Career Placement subsidy

1. Complete the summer career placement form. 
2. Submit your application.
   In person: 1000 Lewes Boulevard in Whitehorse, Yukon. Our hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
   Email: [email protected] 
   Fax: 867-667-8555
   Mail:
   Government of Yukon
   Training Programs (E-13)
   Box 2703
   Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6

If you are approved to receive a subsidy, you will be responsible for recruiting and selecting your staff.

Employers generally advertise their positions in the local newspapers, at Service Canada’s Job Bank, Employment Central or the Skookum Jim Youth Employment Centre.