ALBERTA YOUTH EMPLOYMENT INCENTIVE

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/or 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.

Applications are open!

Before you apply, ensure you have the following ready:

Proof of business registration in Alberta showing your business has been registered and active in the province for at least one year (e.g., Business License, most recent Proof of Annual Return)
Details of the youth position you are applying to support, including 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, you will be contacted by email 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
Add youth employee details to your application and submit for funding approval

3. GET PAID

Declare hours worked and submit all required documentation to receive funding
Minimum hours worked must be completed and declared by Sept 30, 2027

Disclaimer: Submission of an application does not guarantee eligibility, approval, or funding. Applicants must meet all program eligibility and incentive requirements at each stage of the application process to proceed. CAREERS reserves the right to approve or deny applications at any stage based on eligibility criteria, funding availability, or at its discretion.

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

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.