Get Youth Working Program

Hiring and training young talent can be a smart long-term move, but wage and onboarding costs often make employers hesitate. The Get Youth Working Program is designed to reduce that barrier by helping businesses offset part of the cost when bringing a young worker onto the team. Delivered by Bowman Employment Services through a Canada–British Columbia workforce development initiative, the program provides a negotiated, non-repayable wage subsidy to employers who create meaningful work opportunities for youth between the ages of 16 and 29.

This program is well suited for small and mid-sized businesses in British Columbia that are looking to fill real roles and invest in skills development, rather than short-term or seasonal placements. Employers continue to manage their own recruiting process and, once approved, receive financial support after the youth has completed a qualifying work period, typically around three months or longer. The funding can help ease the cost of on-the-job training, external training, and wages, making it easier to commit to longer-term hires and build future talent from the ground up.

With a straightforward application process and flexible funding that varies by project, the Get Youth Working Program can be an accessible option for businesses planning to grow their workforce while supporting youth employment. Exploring the full program details can help determine whether this wage subsidy aligns with your current hiring needs and long-term staffing goals.