Did you know that the environmental industry in Ontario includes more than 3,000 green companies? These bodies employ over 65,000 environmental professionals with job titles ranging from agrologists to biological technicians and sustainability researchers, to name a few.
According the “Synopsis of the 2016 Canadian Clean Technology Industry Report” by Analytica Advisors, “employment in the cleantech industry now exceeds direct employment in the forestry and logging industries as well as innovation-based sectors such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices.”
The cleantech industry currently employs 11,000 young Canadians, and 20% of all people working in this sector of the Canadian economy are engineers. Even if the industry were to achieve only its lowest-projected level of growth (4%), it would directly employ 76,000 people by 2022.[1]
“Industry already knows that clean technology means skilled, well-paying, localized, and sustainable jobs,” says Alex Gill, Executive Director of the Ontario Environment Industry Association (ONEIA).
“Decision-makers at Queen’s Park and in Ottawa need to realize this potential as well so we can adopt policies and investment strategies that encourage cleantech firms to scale up. There is also a lot of potential to address the youth jobs issue here, as these firms can create opportunities for Ontario’s best and brightest to pursue careers in the green economy.”
The employment of young Canadians was a central topic of discussion during a June Political Action Network (PAN) meeting between the Hon. Chris Ballard, MPP (Newmarket—Aurora), the Minister of Housing and the Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy; OSPE Policy Analyst Patrick Sackville; and Daniel Liao, M.Eng., P.Eng., of PEO’s York Chapter.
Concerned by current rates of youth unemployment, Minister Ballard expressed his desire to increase job prospects for this segment of Ontario’s population. Our OSPE and PEO reps were able to share some of the many incentives that exist for businesses to employ youths on environmental initiatives, such as internship wage subsidy programs.
What can internship wage subsidies do for you?
The following chart serves as a helpful resource for both businesses looking to employ youths on environmental initiatives and for young Canadians looking to begin a career in the green jobs sector. Some of the many incentives for participation include:
For young professionals: The opportunity to obtain career information, develop skills, secure a job in your desired field, open doors to career opportunities, and begin earning money while applying and honing your technical and non-technical skill sets.
For employers: Find talented young Canadians who are the right fit for your organization and who are eager to put their learned skills to productive use. Cultivate these up-and-comers within your organization and receive financial assistance to hire young talent, while growing your business.
Check out these current internship wage subsidy programs:
| Subsidy Program | Intern Prerequisites | Company Prerequisites | % of Salary Subsidized/Max. Amount Per Intern | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth-Green
Granting Org.: The NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) |
|
Green economy-oriented small and medium-sized enterprise or internship expected to produce an environmental benefit | 100%
Maximum amount per intern: $10,000 |
3 to 6 months |
| EYC Internship Program
Granting Org.: ECO Canada |
|
Canadian-owned or Canadian subsidiary in STEM, creating full-time permanent environmental jobs | 50%
Maximum amount per intern: $15,000 |
Typically 12 months leading to full-time hire |
| CICan Clean Tech Internship
Granting Org.: Colleges and Institutes Canada |
|
Small and medium-sized enterprises, industry associations, post-secondary institutions, NGOs, government of all levels and Crown corporations undertaking a clean tech project | 70% (balance is contributed by employer and can be in-kind)
Maximum amount per intern: $12,000 |
Minimum 6 months |
Resource courtesy of Daniel Liao, M.Eng., P.Eng.
For more information on these programs:
Youth-Green
Deadline: Internship must be complete by March 31, 2017
Website: http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/irap/services/youth_initiatives.html
EYC Internship Program
Deadline: Ongoing
Website: http://www.eco.ca/employers/internship-program/
Clean Tech Internship
Deadline: Ongoing
Website: http://cleantech.collegesinstitutes.ca/
[1] “Synopsis of the 2016 Canadian Clean Technology Industry Report.” Analytica Advisors. April 19, 2016. Accessed July 21, 2016. http://analytica-advisors.com/files/english-synopsis.
Thanks for this resource!