Call for applications to deliver internships and digital skills training for post-secondary graduates

January 6, 2018

The Government of Canada is accepting applications from organizations to deliver the Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) Program.

The program connects recent post-secondary graduates with small businesses and not-for-profit organizations where they can gain meaningful work experience to help them transition to career-oriented employment. Program participants will be able to use the skills acquired during their studies and apply them in a professional setting. Moreover, they will be able to upskill if required to better meet the demands of the labour market.

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Eligible Activities – Delivery Organizations

1. Engaging Canadian youth in the development and enhancement of digital skills, including upskilling in cooperation with interns and employers;
2. Activities related to promoting the program and partner outreach;
3. Acting as the coordinating body to manage a network of employers for the purpose of providing them with program funding and program oversight, monitoring and support, ensuring:
   1. Timely and accurate reporting;
   2. That interns are undertaking activities that are eligible under the contribution agreement signed with ISED;
   3. That Employers provide interns with the necessary equipment, workspace, workplace-related training and mentoring to fulfill their internship duties and obligations
   4. In cooperation with employers, ensure that interns receive mentoring when Employers cannot provide it;
4. Developing and implementing an open, fair and transparent application process that is in accordance with their contribution agreement with ISED, to engage Employers and to ensure an optimal allocation of youth participants amongst them;
5. Partnering with training service providers that will deliver upskilling opportunities for interns.

Eligible Activities – Employers

The eligible activities by Employers will be activities that allow interns to acquire new and enhance existing digital skills and apply them in combination with soft skills, so that they can successfully transition into the labour market, and include:

1. Providing interns with the necessary equipment, workspace, workplace-related training and mentoring to enhance and maximize their experience and fulfill their internship duties and obligations;
2. Supporting interns in the development and implementation of work activities to provide them with meaningful work experience and enhance their employability.

Seeking applications to deliver internships and digital skills training for post-secondary graduates

Application deadline for Digital Skills for Youth ends January 31, 2018

The Government of Canada is providing internship opportunities through Digital Skills for Youth, a program to help recent post-secondary graduates improve their digital skills for the jobs of tomorrow.

The program makes it easier for recent post-secondary youth to find jobs and connect with employers. It also provides them with training opportunities to better meet the skills demands of the labour market.

The government is seeking applications from organizations to deliver the Digital Skills for Youth Program. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2018.

Digital Skills for Youth is part of the government’s Youth Employment Strategy, which provides Canadian youth with the tools and experience they need to launch successful careers.

The program is one of a suite of digital skills programs offered by the Government of Canada that seek to bridge the digital divide and help Canadians access digital technology and develop the skills they need to use it.

It aligns with the government’s Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying middle class jobs.

Quick Facts

• The following types of organizations can apply for funding: for-profit and not-for-profit organizations; provincial, territorial and municipal governments and their agencies; Indigenous governments, band councils and other not-for-profit groups representing Indigenous people; and provincial and territorial Crown corporations.
• Digital Skills for Youth will consider proposals for initiatives that run until the program end date of March 31, 2020.