Career Link’s Wage Subsidy Program Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Wage Subsidy Program?
The Wage Subsidy Program is designed to assist unemployed people who require some training to find full-time work. It provides temporary wage subsidies to employers who hire and train eligible candidates. A win-win situation occurs when the worker gains new skills and experience, and the employer gains a trained employee, along with financial acknowledgement of the time it takes to conduct that training.
What are the job and employer requirements?
- The employer must be a legal business located in the Powell River Region
- The position must be at least 30 or more hours per week
- The position must be ongoing after the subsidy ends
- The employer cannot have any employees on layoff from the position the client is being hired for
Who is an eligible candidate?
- Unemployed individuals either receiving EI or who have had a claim in the last three years (five years for maternity/parental claims)
- Individuals who are legally entitled to work in Canada
- Individuals who are on an active job search
- Individuals who lack skills or experience for their employment goal
- Individuals cannot be a previous employee of the company or a relative of the owner(s)/manager(s)
How do I find out if the person I am interested in hiring is eligible for the Wage Subsidy Program?
Ask them to contact Career Link at 604-485-7958 and set up an appointment with a Career Coach. The Career Coach will be able to confirm eligibility with the candidate.
NOTE: The candidate cannot start work until the Wage Subsidy agreement is signed.
How much is the subsidy?
The duration and percentage of the subsidy is determined by the amount of training the candidate will likely require. The percentage of the subsidy can be up to 60% of the new employee’s wage.
The Wage Subsidy Coordinator will discuss the candidate’s qualifications and job description with the employer and assist the employer in creating a training plan for the candidate. The training plan is then reviewed by the Wage Subsidy Committee which determines the duration and percentage of the subsidy.
How long does it take to get the subsidy in place?
Once the client and employer have made contact with the Wage Subsidy Coordinator and completed the appropriate paperwork, it can take as little as 24 hours to complete a signed agreement.
How is the candidate paid?
The employer pays the candidate as they would any other employee. The employer then supplies Career Link with a monthly claim form for reimbursement.
How much paperwork is there?
Very little. The employer will receive a one-page application form and be asked to provide a detailed job description for the position. They will sign an agreement, which Career Link’s Wage Subsidy Coordinator will prepare.
Once a month, the employer submits a claim form (with payment documentation) which Career Link reviews in order to calculate the reimbursement.
The employer and employee are asked to partake in a short monitoring questionnaire near the middle and end of the subsidy period, and that’s it.
What if there is a problem with the employee?
The employer-employee relationship with a Wage Subsidy candidate is the same as with any other employee. Employment can be terminated by either party, according to Employment Standards and BC Labour laws, at which point the Wage Subsidy agreement will end. Career Link’s Wage Subsidy Coordinator is available to help resolve on-the-job employment issues, if requested by either party.
For more information, contact Mark Lemna, Program Coordinator at Career Link: 604-485-7958 or mark@careerlinkbc.com.
This program is funded by Service Canada.
