ALBERTA YOUTH EMPLOYMENT INCENTIVE

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Apply. Hire. Get Paid.

It’s that simple.

The Alberta Youth Employment Incentive makes it easier – and more rewarding – for employers to bring young talent into their business. Qualified employers can receive up to $7,500 to hire Albertans aged 15 to 24, helping you fill workforce needs today while investing in the skilled workforce of tomorrow.

This program is funded by the Government of Alberta and administered by CAREERS: The Next Generation, a non-profit with nearly 30 years of experience connecting youth and employers across the province.

Applications are now open – don’t miss this opportunity to grow your team and support Alberta’s future workforce. Apply today!

Hiring youth isn’t just an investment in the next generation—it’s a smart move for your business and Alberta’s future. Young employees bring fresh perspectives, new skills, and the drive to make an impact.

What youth bring to your workplace:

  • Innovation & Creativity – fresh ideas that spark growth
  • Adaptability – quick to learn, flexible in changing environments
  • Tech Savviness – digital skills that keep your business current
  • Energy & Motivation – enthusiasm that lifts teams and productivity

What your business gains long term:

  • Future Workforce Development – build a pipeline of skilled, job-ready workers
  • Talent Attraction & Retention – hiring youth strengthens your reputation as a forward-thinking employer and can reduce turnover

Investing in youth means investing in your organization’s success—and in a stronger Alberta

Eligible employers must be:
  • A registered for-profit businesses
  • A registered non-profit organizations
  • A First Nations or Métis settlement
  • Operational in Alberta for at least one year
Ineligible types of employers
  • Federal, provincial, or municipal governments
  • Public sector or publicly funded organizations such as hospitals and health authorities
  • Provincial or federal crown corporations not listed under eligible applicants
  • Public post-secondary institutions, schools, school boards and any school and authority listed on Alberta Education’s Schools and Authorities index
  • Political parties
  • Holding companies whose primary purpose is ownership of assets
   Employers must also meet the following criteria:
  • Fair Pay – Youth must be paid at or above Alberta’s minimum wage, in accordance with Alberta employment standards
  • Employer Responsibilities – Youth are employees of your organization. This means you are responsible for recruitment, hiring, orientation, contracts, payroll/deductions, and all other standard employer obligations.
  • Safe Workplace – Employers must ensure youth have safe and supportive working conditions.
  • Skills Assessment – After a youth employee completes 200 hours, employers are asked to assess basic work-readiness skills. Successful participants can earn a Government of Alberta digital Work Readiness Badge.

All positions are eligible except:

  • A registered apprenticeship position through Apprenticeship and Industry Training (including RAP)
  • CO-OP positions facilitated through CAREERS
  • Positions already supported by another wage subsidy grant/incentive

Hired youth must:

  • Be an Alberta resident and Canadian citizen or PR
  • Be between 15-24 years of age at the start of employment
  • Not be working with the same employer applicant and in the same position at the time of and prior to the employer applying for the incentive

Ineligible youth:

  • Business owners or board members
  • An immediate family member of the employer or someone who has authority over the employer
  • Any youth working in Canadian temporarily (i.e. temporary foreign workers)

To qualify for funding:

  • Youth employee information (name, birthdate, email) is required to qualify for funding
  • Youth must be hired after your application is submitted and reviewed for eligibility.
    • If you already have a youth candidate in mind, please include their information and start date when applying for review

How much funding can I receive?

Eligible employers may receive up to $7,500 in funding, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Funding is based on the number of youth hired: 

  • $4000 for 1-2 youth(s) to a minimum of 400 hours combined
  • $7500 for 3-5 youth(s) to a minimum of 750 hours combined

Employers operating multiple locations may submit one application per location and are eligible to receive a one-time maximum of $7,500 per location. Corporations are limited to a maximum of 10 locations. Funding can only be claimed for the same youth once.

What kind of positions are eligible for this incentive?

Funding is available for youth 15-24 years of age employed in any position except for:

  • Registered apprenticeship (through Apprenticeship and Industry Training) and CO-OP positions
  • Positions already supported by another wage subsidy grant/incentive

When will I receive the funding, and how is it paid out?

To qualify for funding, youth must be hired after your application is submitted and reviewed for eligibility. 

  • Hours worked must be completed and declared by Sept 30, 2027. As part of this incentive, employers will be required to complete a survey and skills assessment about their youth employee(s).
  • Funds will be disbursed via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Payment will be released after youth meets minimum hours worked and all application requirements are met.
Application now open!

Before you apply, ensure you have the following ready:

  • Proof of business registration in Alberta showing your business has been active for at least one year (e.g., Business License, Certificate of Incorporation, most recent Annual Return)
  • Details of the youth position you are applying to support (preferred start date and position description)
1. APPLY
  • Start your application online by clicking ‘Apply Now’ 
  • Upon submission, CAREERS will review your application to verify eligibility
    Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact you via email once the review process is complete. 
2. HIRE
  • After your application is reviewed as eligible, hire youth for your position(s)
  • CAREERS can help with finding interested youth candidates*

    *in certain industries, contact CAREERS to learn more

3. GET PAID
  • Confirm youth employee details in your application
  • Declare hours worked and submit required documents to receive approval for funds
  • Minimum hours worked must be completed and declared by Sept 30, 2027
 

Need help recruiting suitable candidates?  CAREERS can help!  Contact us and a team member will reach out within 24 hours.

Contact CAREERS

READY TO BRING FRESH TALENT INTO YOUR BUSINESS AND ACCESS FUNDING SUPPORT?

Pre-apply and express your interest now to hire youth, strengthen your workforce, and help shape Alberta’s future.

Apply Now

Employer FAQ

How many applications can I submit?

Eligible employers may submit one application per site, for up to 10 locations. Each site is eligible for a one-time maximum of $7,500.

If you are applying for multiple locations, complete one application first to create your CAREERS portal account. Then email AYEIncentive@nextgen.org to add additional locations before proceeding with additional applications.

Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to high demand, the review process can take 4–6 weeks, though timelines cannot be guaranteed.

Seasonal positions may be considered; however, the program’s goal is to support long-term youth employment opportunities. Employers are encouraged to use the incentive to help youth gain sustained and meaningful work experience.

  1. Log in to your employer portal.

  2. Select ‘View’ next to your incentive under the My Incentives tab.

  3. Open the dropdown menu and select Add Youth to AYEI. Follow through each prompt and complete all required fields.

Position(s) must be added to your incentive application before youth information can be entered.

Youth information is typically reviewed within 1–3 business days.

We advise employers to begin recruiting youth candidates once you receive confirmation that your organization is eligible for funding. You should start your youth employee after your application is fully approved. Approval occurs once you’ve added the youth’s information to your application and the youth’s eligibility has been confirmed.

*Youth employee information is typically reviewed for approval within 1-3 business days

*Review youth eligibility requirements on our website under ‘Youth Eligibility’ tab

To receive funding, employers must ensure that the minimum required hours for their approved funding level are completed. If a youth employee quits or is terminated, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the remaining hours are still met. You may either:

  • have another youth employee already on the application complete the remaining hours, or
  • hire a new eligible youth employee to complete the remaining hours.

Please note that partial or prorated payments are not available for this incentive. Changes to your funding level can be considered, please contact AYEIncentive@nextgen.org for more support.

The Alberta Youth Employment Incentive program ends on September 30, 2027, and funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To maximize your chance of receiving funding, begin recruitment and hiring of your youth employee(s) as soon as you are deemed eligible.

All youth hours must be worked and declared before September 30, 2027.

Funding can be used at the employer’s discretion to support youth hiring, including:

  • wages
  • training
  • other costs directly related to employing a youth

You may request payment once:

  • all youth hours have been declared, and
  • all program requirements are complete.

Requirements may include:

  • uploading paystubs or supporting documentation to verify youth employment and hours worked
  • submitting a skills assessment for youth who work 200+ hours
  • completing the employer survey at the end of the program