Hiring young workers can be expensive, especially for small and mid-sized employers. The Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy (OYJS) helps reduce those costs. It offers wage subsidies, training support, and placement incentives for employers who hire youth. The strategy is run by the Government of Ontario. Each year, thousands of youth placements are supported through different funding streams.
This article explains how employers can apply for the Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy, what to expect, and how to avoid common mistakes.
The Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy is a provincial initiative. It helps youth aged 15 to 29 gain paid work experience. At the same time, it helps employers offset hiring and training costs. The strategy acts as an umbrella. Funding is delivered through multiple programs and intake streams instead of one single application.
Common employer-focused streams include:
Funding amounts and rules vary by stream. Most programs cover a portion of wages and mandatory employment costs, not the full amount.
Eligibility rules differ by stream, but employers usually must meet these criteria to apply under the Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy:
Your business must:
Your youth hire must usually:
Some streams are open to nonprofits, social enterprises, and municipalities. Others focus on private-sector employers.
GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter Ontario youth wage subsidies by employer type, industry, and region in seconds.
There is no single “Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy application.” Employers apply through approved delivery partners or program streams funded under the strategy.
Here is how the process usually works:
Find the right stream
Each stream targets a specific group of youth or industry. Some streams are ongoing. Others open for limited intakes.
Check employer and youth eligibility
Most programs require pre-approval before the youth starts work.
Submit an employer application
Applications usually ask for:
Hire and onboard the youth
You must follow standard payroll rules and track hours worked.
Submit claims and reports
Wage subsidies are often paid after you submit payroll proof or progress reports.
Because streams open and close throughout the year, timing matters.
Funding varies by program stream. Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy support often includes:
Programs do not allow employers to claim multiple grants for the same wages unless the rules permit it.
1. Hiring the youth before approval
Most streams require written approval first. If you hire early, the placement may become ineligible.
2. Assuming all youth qualify
Age alone is not enough. Some streams target specific barriers or backgrounds.
3. Double-dipping wage subsidies
You usually cannot stack two grants on the same payroll costs unless both funders allow it.
4. Missing reporting deadlines
Late payroll or progress reports can delay or cancel reimbursements.
Q: Is the Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy still open?
Yes. The strategy is ongoing, but individual funding streams open and close throughout the year.
Q: How much funding can I get per youth hire?
Amounts depend on the stream and placement length. Most programs cover only part of wages and approved costs.
Q: Can nonprofits apply as employers?
Yes. Some Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy streams are open to nonprofits and social enterprises.
Q: Is Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy funding taxable?
In most cases, wage subsidies are treated as business income. Confirm with your accountant.
Q: Can this funding be combined with federal wage subsidies?
Sometimes. You generally cannot claim two programs on the same wages unless allowed by both funders.
If you’re exploring youth hiring incentives, you may also find these helpful:
The Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy can reduce your hiring costs, but only if you apply to the right stream at the right time. GrantHub tracks active youth wage subsidy and employment programs across Canada, including Ontario. This helps you see which ones fit your business profile before you apply.
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