Please note that the Career Starter program has reached capacity and will reopen again in the new year for 2027-2028 program intake. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
Hire youth with up to $20,000 in funding and built-in supports
Now accepting applications!
The Career Starter Program facilitates the transition of barriered youth and those furthest from employment into the labour market. It bridges the gap between talent and industry, introduces participants to the bio-economy as a viable career path, and enables employers to strengthen their workforce.
Please note: Employer matching services are not provided through BioTalent Canada’s Career Starter Program. Youth interested in participating in the program must find a placement before the application process starts. For more information on employers who are currently hiring, please visit the national job board The PetriDish.
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Program overview | Program description | Why hire through Career Starter | Eligibility | Contact us
Program overview
Career Starter provides bio–economy employers with up to $20,000 in hiring funds (based on provincial minimum wage), including wraparound services.
The program supports employers in building diverse, inclusive workplaces while addressing their need for skilled talent.
Click the thumbnail for the full video.
Click the thumbnail for the full video.
Program description
The Career Starter Program supports youth furthest from employment in transitioning into the labour market. It connects industry with talent, introduces participants to careers in the bio–economy, and helps employers strengthen their workforce.
Employers can receive up to $20,000 per intern. In addition to funding support, Career Starter includes built-in talent supports to help ensure a successful internship:
- A dedicated BioTalent Canada case manager for each participant
- Individualized case plans with ongoing check-ins
- Access to Technical Skills Fundamentals and Essential Skills Fundamentals training
- Funding for wraparound services (average $2,500 per participant) to address needs such as transportation, housing, or other employment barriers
As Canada faces a projected shortage of 65,000 workers in the bio–economy, Career Starter helps employers tap into new and overlooked talent.
Please note: Employer matching services are not provided through BioTalent Canada’s Career Starter. Students interested in participating in the program must find a placement before the application process starts. For more information on employers who are currently hiring, please visit the national job board The PetriDish.
Why hire through Career Starter
- Receive 60% of wages (to a maximum of $20,000)
- Access motivated youth ready to work
- Reduce onboarding challenges with built-in training and support
- Strengthen your workforce with diverse perspectives
Eligibility
Participants must be:
Youth furthest from employment:
(1) Facing a barrier to employment AND
(2) Involuntarily NEET (no employment, education or training for the past 6 months)*
- 15 to 30 years of age
- New hires to the organization
- Not be in school full-time (part-time students may be considered)
- Be able to work a minimum of 30 hours per week
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person
- Legally entitled to work in Canada
*Candidates may also be considered if, before starting placement, they are:
- Underemployed (working less than 30 hours per week), or
- Not employed in their field of study
Youth must be experiencing one or more barriers that affect employability, such as:
- Living with disabilities
- Indigenous youth
- Recent immigrants and/or refugees
- Youth from racialized communities
- 2SLGBTQI+ individuals
- Those experiencing homelessness or precarious housing
- Youth in low-income households
- Youth in rural or remote areas
- Those with caregiving responsibilities
- Early school leavers
- Underemployed youth
- Women in STEM
- Youth in Official Language Minority communities
Both conditions must be met to be eligible. Applicants who do not meet both criteria will be waitlisted.
Employers must:
- Operate within the bio–economy
- Provide supervision and mentorship
- Offer a full-time position (minimum 30 hours/week for at least 3 months)
- Assign a mentor/job coach to support development
- Submit progress reports as required
- Contribute at least 40% of the participant’s salary
Positions must not be funded through another federal program (e.g., IRAP, Mitacs).
The participant must be added to the employer’s payroll which includes Federal/Provincial tax deductions (CPP, EI, etc.). Participants are not eligible for the program as contractors.
Please note: The application review process may take up to 40 business days.
Contact us
Uncertain if you qualify? Don’t count yourself out.
Contact our Outreach team at 1-866-243-2472, ext. 218 or [email protected].
Funded in part by Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Skills Strategy Program 