Lighthouse Labs | Digital Skills For Youth (DS4Y) - WAGE SUBSIDY PROGRAM

The DS4Y Program was established to connect underemployed post-secondary graduate youth with SMBs and not-for-profits to apply and enhance their skills, and ultimately transition to career oriented employment in the evolving digital economy.

The labour market is poised to undergo major changes in the upcoming years, including the automation of knowledge tasks, robotics, big data, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence, among others. It is important to ensure that young Canadians have the opportunities to acquire relevant skills and work experience early on so that they can build a meaningful and rewarding career.

Objectives, expected results and outcomes

The DS4Y Program aims to provide opportunities for underemployed post-secondary graduates to combine valuable work experience with training related to digital skills through these internships so that they can successfully transition to the labour market.

DS4Y falls under the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS). The YESS offers a broad suite of programs that, together, aim to develop a skilled and diverse young labour force to support inclusive growth. Ultimately, the YESS aims to ensure that youth have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experience and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment. DS4Y contributes to the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy programming by supporting youth who are more or less job-ready but who may require a first employment experience through wage-subsidy opportunities, and skill development to enter and succeed in the labour market.

The program will contribute to increasing the employability of youth by equipping them with integrated digital and soft skills relevant to the evolving digital economy.

Key expected results include:

• Youth will receive practical work experience and upskilling;
• Youth will enhance their employability in the evolving digital workplace;
• Small and Medium Businesses and not-for-profits will be supported and better positioned to succeed in the global knowledge-based economy; and
• The Canadian workforce is the talented, skilled, creative and diverse.

This program also supports the Government of Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan (ISP), by ensuring that all Canadians have the opportunity to participate and thrive in the new digital economy.

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