Businesses and youth have until March 29th to apply for YEPP - The Youth Entrepreneurship Placement Program.
YEPP is entering its fourth year of helping innovative businesses while giving youth a special experience in learning entrepreneurial skills, based on carefully-matched placements.
YEPP is open to businesses located in the districts of Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound and Muskoka. It is administered through the North Bay-based offices of IION (Innovation Initiatives Ontario North).
According to IION’s Executive Director Rob Deline, the program offers far more than just a “summer job opportunity” for students and more than a few dollars for businesses taking part. With the deadline fast approaching he wants to make people aware of why YEPP is special, and they should look into it.
“For the innovative employers taking part, it generously compensates them for the time and opportunity they are offering to a very focused and interested youth. The wage subsidy is $11.83 per hour, and many employers have told us it will greatly help offset recent increases to their minimum wage, and subsequently other staff wages,” explains Deline.
“It also gives youth a unique opportunity, more than simply a seasonal job. It is open to high-potential youth aged 18 to 29, with a strong, proven interest in innovation and entrepreneurship. It offers them work and wages, but also carefully planned experiential and educational learning components that can influence their future careers," he adds.
Youth and businesses are carefully matched, for a 16-week placement that runs from May 4th to August 23rd, and is based on a 37.5 hour work week.
Deline explains that what really makes it different is the educational and experiential components, which both employer and employee are made aware of.
“First, the youth get hands-on learning in their jobs. Then they also benefit from a guided and structured online entrepreneurial educational course, followed up by a 5-day offsite personal and professional development portion. That’s the experiential part,” says Deline.
Business must be for-profit, and cannot be wholesalers, re-sellers or distributors.
He encourages Businesses to call 705-474-7600 ext 5660
Youth and students aged 18-to-29 can call 705-474-7600 ext 5661
Although businesses must be located in Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound or Muskoka districts to apply and have their eligibility assessed, youth are accepted from anywhere.
For more details, you can visit iion.ca/yepp online.
