What’s the wage subsidy? What’s the youth placement?

Here’s what you need to know:

• Eligible businesses can hire 1 eligible youth when their digital adoption plan is approved
• Get a wage subsidy up to $7,300 to hire a skilled youth
• Youth ages 18-30
• Work a minimum of 450 hours, 12 consecutive weeks
• Full-time or part-time
• Receive a full reimbursement at the end of the work placement

Businesses don’t have to match the exact rate for the youth in this work placement, but paying market wages is encouraged.

How can I use the wage subsidy?

The CDAP wage subsidy can help you with implementing any initiative or solution that’s in your digital adoption plan.

Initiatives in a digital adoption plan may include:

• Digital marketing activities, e.g. social media, email marketing, keyword research
• Improving cyber security and data privacy, e.g. selecting a password manager and training the team on how to use it
• Configuration, process redesign and change management activities associated with implementing a new system, e.g. collecting requirements, updating process and policy documents, internal communications and training
• Digitizing paper files

As long as your digital adoption plan was approved by ISED, then the youth can take on any work related to the digital initiatives that’s in the plan.

Our Advice:

When you’re developing the implementation roadmap for your digital adoption plan, consider which digital initiatives may benefit from having a youth on the team to implement and how that affects resourcing across all digital initiatives.

Which youth are eligible?

Eligibility requirements are:

• Ages 18-30
• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugees with the right to work in Canada
• Currently enrolled in post-secondary program of study in college, university, CEGEP, Polytechnic institute or private training institution in relevant fields, OR recent graduates (within 2 years) from college, university, CEGEP, Polytechnic institute, or private training institution (digital skills programs)
• Ecommerce advisors from the “Grow Your Business Online” stream of CDAP

The youth participant must not have previously completed a Boost Your Technology work placement.

You don’t need to hire the young before applying for this wage subsidy. You’ll find more details on the application process below.

Why should I hire a youth?

It’s worthwhile to hire youth talent to support the implementation of your digital adoption plan. Internal teams are often stretched and an extra pair of hands is often much-needed.

Here are some reasons to take on a youth placement to implement your digital initiatives:

• You have staffing shortages
• Your team is already at capacity
• Your needs for implementation are short-term
• You don’t have the knowledge internally to take on the work (this might make sense for activities like social media and digital marketing)
• You’re previously hired a youth and want to re-hire them for work that’s in your digital adoption plan

If the youth performs well in the 450 hours or 12 weeks, you can make them a permanent hire for long term.

Even if it it doesn’t lead to a permanent hire, you’ll still be improving your business technology while helping the youth start their career.

Our Advice:

Take advantage of this wage subsidy and assign them to specific tasks within 1-2 digital initiatives. Offer solid training at the start of their placement, define their role clearly, and provide the necessary support to ensure they are successful.

Can I apply for the wage subsidy if I also need the loan?

Yes, you can apply for both the interest-free loan of up to $100,000 and the $7,300 wage subsidy.

You just need to make sure your digital adoption plan was approved by ISED.

What’s the application process? When will I receive the funds?

The process is simple:

1. Receive confirmation that your digital adoption plan is approved by ISED.
2. Apply on the CDAP Magnet webpage. They require attestation from your businesses to get your application started.
3. If you have a youth already, they will be asked to complete the application as well.
4. If you need help finding a youth, Magnet can assist in sharing your job opportunities with eligible youth across Canada.
5. Once the youth completes the work placement, use the Magnet platform to initiate the reimbursement process.
6. The funds will be distributed in 1-2 months.

As of right now, there is no deadline to apply, but we will keep you posted with the latest news as we get more information.

Our Advice:

Apply as soon as your digital adoption plan is approved. Post your opportunity right away or identify a youth who’ve been successful working with you in the past to apply.

Learn More

By developing a digital adoption plan, your business will have a clear path forward to get your business online, give your online presence a boost or digitalize your business operations.

Cue North is an approved digital advisor of CDAP. Book a complimentary call with our team to help you get started.

One of the most appealing components of the Canada Digital Adoption Program is the interest-free loan. To learn more, read our post on the interest-free loan.