People & Talent Program: Indigenous Workforce Development Stream
$52,500.00
Grant
Description:
The intent of the Indigenous Workforce Development Stream is to strengthen and develop Northern Ontario’s Indigenous workforce through business partnerships by offering internships to Indigenous persons.
Comments on Funding:
Funding is in the form of a conditional contribution and will support the following:
– up to 90% of an Indigenous intern’s salary and employer’s portion of MERCs to a maximum of $35,000 per year for eligible municipalities, Indigenous communities, and not-for-profit organizations;
– up to 75 % of an Indigenous intern’s salary and employer’s portion of MERCs to a maximum of $52,500 per year for eligible businesses.
Payment will generally be made on a cost-incurred basis with payments made at six months and the end of the internship.
NOHFC funding under this program, when combined with other provincial and federal government sources, will generally not exceed 90% of eligible costs for municipalities, Indigenous communities and not-for-profit employers, and 75% of eligible costs for businesses hiring an indigenous intern.
Funding for each project is determined by the NOHFC Board of Directors, and limited funding is available. Not all projects meeting the criteria will necessarily be approved.
Currently accepting applications
Eligibility:
Applicants must:
1. be businesses;
2. be municipalities;
3. be Indigenous communities;
4. be not-for-profit organizations;
5. be located in Northern Ontario;
6. have been in operation for at least one year;
7. have minimum of one full-time employee;
8. provide the intern with direct onsite supervision.
An employer that hires an apprentice under a registered apprenticeship program is eligible for funding provided that all program eligibility criteria are met.
An organization is eligible for two internship positions at a given time.
An eligible business is potentially eligible for a two-year internship where the intern must complete a minimum number of hours of professional experience (greater than 52 weeks of full-time employment) for a certification, designation, or registered apprenticeship. A separate application for second-year funding is required.
Colleges, universities and research institutions (as defined by NOHFC) may be eligible for up to up to five research positions, in addition to two regular internship positions.
Interns must:
1. identify as an Indigenous person, including First Nation, Metis, or Inuit;
2. be new entrants into the work force, be transitioning to a new career, or be the unemployed or underemployed who are entering a new field;
3. not have previously participated in a NOHFC-funded internship;
4. be at least 18 years of age; 5. reside, and be legally entitled to work, in Canada;
6. not be immediate family members or relatives of owners and directors. Exceptions may be made in smaller, Northern communities with a limited labour base.
Eligible projects are salaries/wages and employer’s portion of Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs) (e.g.: Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, mandatory minimum vacation pay, as per Employment Standards Act) for a limited-term internship position of 52 weeks (with at least 35 hours of work per week);
An extended placement period (up to 18 months) will be considered for apprenticeship internships to accommodate any necessary off-site training and/or educational requirements. Only 52 weeks of work are eligible for reimbursement within an extended placement.
Application Steps:
The applicant must:
1. create an online account using the form on the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) website,
2. follow the onscreen instructions to complete each section of the application,
3. click “Submit application”.
NOHFC will contact the applicant in 2 to 4 weeks!
A fair and transparent selection process must be conducted by the organization for each position. Exceptions may be made for apprenticeship internships.
Documentation Needed:
Applicants/ organizations must provide proof of the posting a job advertisement in at least one public forum (e.g. job bank), including the opening and closing dates of the posting.
Other Things to Note:
About the author
Maurice
