January 29, 2019
Program helps small business hire youth
Employment Ontario Service Providers can also help small businesses to attract and retain young workers.
If you hang around the office of Pinecrest-Queensway Employment Services in Ottawa, Ont., long enough, you may hear them talking about “yeti” and wonder why they are so interested in the infamous Sasquatch. Rest assured, they are not spending their time tracking Bigfoot! The Employing Young Talent Incentive program (fondly referred to as “EYTI” or pronounced “yeti”) is a new program launched in January 2018 to support small businesses with hiring and encourage youth-employment. All services provided within the EYTI program are free for employers across Ontario.

Eligible small businesses are able to receive up to $2,000 in incentives for hiring a youth (15-29 years old), who is a client of an Employment Ontario Service Provider, for a job that averages at least 20 hours per week. If your company has less than 100 employees (including casual, part-time, and contract staff) at the time of hire, you may be eligible for these incentives.

The incentives are broken down into two payments:
  • $1,000 hiring incentive. Available two- to four-weeks after the client starts work (cheque processing times may vary depending on Employment Ontario Service Provider).
  • $1,000 retention incentive. Available six months after the date of hire if the client has worked at least 20 hours per week for the duration of the six months (cheque processing times may vary).

Through their experiences working with many landscape and horticulture employers, staff consistently hear of two struggles throughout the industry: employers are not getting responses to job postings, and for those who are hired, retention can be very difficult. The EYTI program is designed to help employers find candidates for job openings and to assist with employee retention. Employer liaisons are also available to help write job postings and share them on your behalf to existing clients. They can also organize a hiring event specifically for your business. Local employers can use the available multi-purpose rooms free of charge. To foster retention throughout the six-month placement period, help is available to write training plans, offer regular check-ins, and encourage open, honest feedback and communication.

To learn more, or find out if your business is eligible, contact Pinecrest-Queensway Employment Services at 613-288-3880 and ask to speak to an Employer Liaison, or contact your nearest Employment Ontario Service Provider.