Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Program fully subscribed to create approximately 800 youth jobs in the coming year

From: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

News release

July 23, 2020 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister, Marie-Claude Bibeau today announced that approximately 800 new positions are expected to be created through the Youth Employment and Skills Program for the 2020/2021 program year. The enhanced program, which launched on May 26, 2020, is now fully subscribed and the application intake is closed.

In May, the Government announced an additional funding of $9.2 million to help the agriculture industry attract Canadian youth, ages 15 to 30, to their organizations to assist with labour shortages brought on by the pandemic. At that time, it was announced that the program would fund 700 youth jobs. This program provides youth from across the country, and particularly youth facing barriers to employment, with job experience in agriculture that will provide career-related work experience.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada has been taking steps to ensure the resilience of the food supply chain and to provide support to keep the agriculture sector strong.

Eligible applicants included producers, agri-businesses, industry associations, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous organizations and research facilities.

Quotes

"Our food producers are working hard to feed Canada, and labour shortages brought on by the pandemic have had an impact. The applications received for this program demonstrate that youth are eager to take advantage of the many employment opportunities available in the agriculture and agri-food sector and to gain valuable work experience. I am pleased to see so many young Canadians interested in challenging and meaningful careers in one of our country's most dynamic and resilient sectors."

- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"An investment in our youth is an investment in Canada's future. This program provides young people with the skills and experience they need to build fulfilling careers and prepare for the future."

- The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth

Quick facts

  • The Government of Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) is an Employment and Social Development Canada-led horizontal initiative involving 11 federal departments and agencies.

  • The number of new positions may change as applications continue to be reviewed and assessed.

  • The funding was retroactive to April 1, 2020, with projects to be completed by March 31, 2021.

  • This program builds on the measures the Government has introduced to keep Canada's agri-workforce strong. More information available here.

Associated links

Contacts

Oliver Anderson
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
oliver.anderson@canada.ca
613-462-4327

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@canada.ca
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