Employers: Get up to 12 weeks of 100% wage reimbursement this summer.
WorkLink’s START Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program is offering a one-time, fully funded 12-week wage subsidy for employers in Westshore and Sooke. If you’re ready to hire and train a young adult aged 15-30 for long-term employment, this is your opportunity to receive up to 100% of their wage, with work experience starting July 21st, 2025.
Contact the START Program Coordinator: START@worklink.bc.ca | 250-478-9525 ext 266
HOW TO HIRE YOUNG TALENT AT ZERO COST TO YOUR BUSINESS
Select Your Hire
Meet and interview participants of our START cohort to select the best candidate for your business needs.
Apply For The Program
After you have interviewed and selected your preferred candidate.
Sign Off
Once your application is approved, you will sign an Employer Agreement document with the Program Coordinator.
Submit Your Claims
For the next 12 weeks, you will complete and submit documents on a bi-weekly basis.
Get Reimbursed
At the end of 12 weeks, you will submit an Employer Monitor form. We will reimburse you fully based on the documents you submitted in Step 4.
How Businesses Have Utilized Work Experience
Filing and Sorting
A START cohort tackled a two-week contract with an accounting office, assisting with document management post-tax season.
Office Renovation Support
A START cohort dedicated a few weeks to helping a business paint the exterior of an office building. They prepared the building by cleaning and power-washing it before applying paint under the guidance of a professional painter.
Retail Store Support
START participants prepared a farm and feed store for Spring by assembling products and cleaning the outdoor area.
Construction Support
Several START participants gained hands-on experience as labourers in an 8-week placement, cleaning up a large construction site and then moving on to other positions as assigned by the foreperson. After the placement ended, several START participants secured careers in trades.
OTHER PROGRAM BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYERS
SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS
WORK EXPERIENCE
Engage with youth job seekers through START. Offer them meaningful work experience.
POST ON OUR JOB BOARD
Are you looking to hire? Post on our job board for free! Take it one step further and consider tailoring a job posting to a young job seeker. This will bring new perspectives to your team and foster a diverse workplace.