How EI recipients can use Job Creation Partnerships to gain full-time work experience

How EI recipients can use Job Creation Partnerships to gain full-time work experience

If you’re receiving Employment Insurance (EI) and struggling to find steady work, Job Creation Partnerships (JCP) offers a way to build work experience. This provincial program funds temporary, full-time work placements so you can develop recent skills while still receiving EI support. In Nova Scotia, JCP is managed by Employment Nova Scotia and is aimed at EI-eligible job seekers who need hands-on experience to return to the workforce.

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How Job Creation Partnerships works for EI recipients

Job Creation Partnerships creates temporary, full-time jobs with eligible employers or organizations so EI recipients can gain practical experience. It’s not a wage subsidy or training grant, but a program to help you get back into the workforce.

Here’s how it works in Nova Scotia:

• Who it’s for
  • You must be Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) eligible.
    LMDA eligibility means you have a current EI claim. If your EI claim ended within the last 60 months, you may still qualify. You may also be eligible if you received EI Emergency Response Benefits within the last 60 months. Another way to qualify is if you earned at least $2,000 in insurable earnings in at least 5 of the last 10 years. You also need to have worked for at least 24 months and be actively looking for work or underemployed.
• Type of work
  • Full-time, temporary jobs that:
    • help the employer or community
    • improve your job skills
    • do not replace existing workers
• Duration
  • Placements can last up to 52 consecutive weeks
• Income support
  • You continue receiving EI benefits while in the program, rather than getting a wage or grant from the employer.

For EI recipients, the main benefit is simple: you gain recent, relevant work experience without losing financial support while job searching.

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How Job Creation Partnerships can lead to full-time work

Many EI recipients face a common challenge: employers want “recent experience.” JCP placements are designed to help you overcome this barrier.

During a JCP placement, you can:

• Get current references in your field
• Learn new or updated workplace skills
• Show reliability in a full-time job
• Grow your professional network

While the job is temporary, many participants use the experience to find permanent work with the host organization or elsewhere soon after the placement ends.

If you want to see other employment and training programs in your province, GrantHub’s matcher tool can help you compare options based on your EI status and career goals.

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Application and approval process

You must be approved for JCP before starting work. You cannot begin a JCP-funded job and apply later.

The usual steps are:

1. Find a suitable project or employer
   • These are often non-profits, municipalities, or community groups
2. Check your EI and LMDA eligibility
3. Apply through Employment Nova Scotia
4. Wait for approval before starting work

If approved, your placement will run for the agreed time under program guidelines.

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Common mistakes to avoid

Starting work before approval
Work that begins before JCP approval is not eligible for funding.

Thinking it’s permanent employment
JCP placements are temporary. Use them as a temporary opportunity, not a guaranteed job.

Not checking EI eligibility
Many applications are rejected because applicants don’t meet LMDA or EI history requirements.

Choosing a role that doesn’t build employability
Projects must clearly improve your chances of long-term employment, not just fill a short-term gap.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need an active EI claim to qualify for Job Creation Partnerships?
Not always. You may qualify if your EI claim ended within the last 60 months or if you meet certain insurable earnings requirements.

Q: How long can a Job Creation Partnerships placement last?
Placements can last up to 52 consecutive weeks, depending on the approved project.

Q: Is Job Creation Partnerships funding taxable income?
The funding is structured through EI support and may affect your taxes. It’s best to check with Service Canada or a tax professional.

Q: Will participating affect my EI benefits?
Your participation is coordinated with your EI status. You stay supported while gaining work experience, but you must follow reporting rules.

Q: Can I apply on my own, or does an employer need to be involved?
An eligible employer or organization must be part of the application, as the program funds specific job creation projects.

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GrantHub lists hundreds of active employment and training programs across Canada. You can check which ones fit your EI status and career stage to help plan your next steps.

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See also

• LMDA-Funded Self-Employment Programs in Canada: Eligibility Explained
• Federal vs Provincial Workforce Training Grants: What Canadian Employers Should Use
• Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL): Eligible Activities

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Next steps

Job Creation Partnerships can help turn your EI period into meaningful, full-time experience that employers value. If you want to see how JCP and similar programs fit your situation, GrantHub lets you compare options by province, eligibility, and career stage so you can plan your next move with confidence.