Sustainability isn’t just a buzz word. It’s the way of the future.
And if you’re an employer looking to fill a sustainability-related role, or a job-seeker on the hunt for eco-employment, opportunity abounds.
That’s because over the coming months, the National not-for-profit ECO Canada will be offering hundreds of thousands of dollars in wage funding to help Canadian organizations hire young professionals into environmentally-related positions.
ECO Canada, provides labour market research and human resources support to employers and candidates across Canada. Soon, the organization will begin matching employers and young professionals to three wage funding programs.
The Youth Employment in Natural Resources program covers up to 75 % of a candidate’s wages to a maximum of $22,500 for STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) and Natural Resources jobs within energy, forestry, minerals/metals and earth sciences. Candidates must be under 31 years old and the deadline for employers to apply is September 21, 2020.
The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program covers up to $15,000 to hire professionals under the age of 31 into full-time permanent environmental roles related to climate change, clean tech and environmental sustainability. The application deadline is September 21, 2020.
If you’re a small-mid size (500 employees or less) environmental organization seeking digital support, the Digital Skills for Youth program covers 100 per cent of a candidate’s salary up to a maximum of $25,000. Application deadline: December 31, 2020.
To qualify, host employers must provide environmentally-related placements for a minimum of 3 months in length ending by March 31, 2021, and youth candidates must be under 31 years old, and complete an eligibility assessment.
“Right now, we’re seeking employers who are hiring for environmentally focused roles in STEM or natural resources and would benefit from this funding and encouraging them to apply” says Yana Jay, Senior Manager, Marketing & Sales to ECO Canada.
If those employers are hiring an Indigenous youth or a candidate living in a rural or remote community, such as one in the Northwest Territories or Atlantic Canada, they can qualify for up to $30,000.
Since 1992, when the organization was founded, ECO Canada has seen exponential growth in the number of green jobs across Canada, coinciding with the scores of grads coming out of eco-focussed post-secondary programs such as the Victoria-based Royal Roads University School of Environmental and Sustainability.
“Ten years ago, you wouldn't have seen a lot of jobs in climate change. You wouldn't have seen a Chief Sustainability Officer in a lot of organizations,” says Jay, further reinforcing a trend towards green job creation.
After 20 years supporting young professionals and employers through its wage funding programs, ECO Canada has seen its share of success stories. “It's funny because every now and again, we come across someone really senior who says, ‘I was an intern through ECO Canada's wage funding program 15 years ago and now I'm Senior Partner or CEO,’” Jay says. “So we know it's a great way for people to get a foot in the door and start on their career journey,” she continues.
While employers can apply for wage funding via the ECO Canada website, candidates can take the Wage Funding Eligibility Quiz and use it to market themselves to future employers. “Youth can put on their cover letter that they’re pre-approved for ECO Canada's wage funding program, and show ‘if you hire me, you can get up to X amount of dollars incentive’,” says Jay.
The fact that this funding opportunity coincides with Canada’s COVID-19 economic recovery, when new grads are eager to launch their careers and organizations are rehiring staff after months of lockdown, makes it even more ideal. “It’s a win-win where you get money to hire someone who can help grow your business, and that person also benefits by getting the opportunity and the experience within the industry,” says Jay.
Sustainability is also a hot topic due to the impact lockdown and social distancing behaviours have made on the environment during the COVID-19 crisis. If they weren’t doing so before the pandemic, many organizations are making green initiatives a priority. Says Jay: “With government support, we can have a clean economic recovery.”
Are you an employer or job-seeker wanting to learn more about ECO Canada’s wage funding programs? Visit the website for details, and apply today.
ECO Canada is the steward for the Canadian environmental workforce across all industries.
From job creation and wage funding, to training and labour market research – we champion the end-to-end career of an environmental professional.
Our aim is to promote and drive responsible, sustainable economic growth while also ensuring that environmental care and best practice is a priority
Tags: science