Saskatchewan Announces $4 million for Economic Recovery Work Experience Initiative

Released on March 15, 2022

Today, the Government of Saskatchewan announced the funding of $4 million for the Economic Recovery Work Experience Initiative.

The Economic Recovery Work Experience Initiative is a one-time pandemic recovery initiative for employers and job seekers.  The program provides funding for paid work experiences for job seekers to gain practical skills in priority sectors like hospitality, agriculture, retail services, health, and childcare.

"The Economic Recovery Work Experience Initiative will help address the gap of skilled labour shortages in key priority sectors," Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. "This funding will create a stronger Saskatchewan by providing employers with the skilled workforce they need and by empowering job seekers to fully participate in our economy as we emerge from the pandemic." 

The project will connect up to 465 job seekers with employers looking to address their workforce needs, which will result in sustainable employment and access to new talent for the employers.  It will be funded through the Canada-Saskatchewan Labour Market Transfer Agreements.

It will be administered by service providers who will connect employers that have available work opportunities in priority sectors with eligible job seekers. The job seekers will gain valuable employability skills through a work experience of up to 16 weeks. 

To be eligible, participants must be job seekers working with SaskJobs Career Services or an approved service provider, and: 

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Legally entitled to work in Saskatchewan;
• Facing job search and skills related barriers to obtaining and maintaining employment; and
• Unemployed or underemployed (working less than 20 hours per week). 

Employers will have the opportunity to provide meaningful work experiences for unemployed or underemployed job seekers and receive cost sharing for wages, including: 

• Up to $6,000 per each work experience participant; and
• 100 per cent of the minimum hourly wage is covered in the first month, 80 per cent in the second month, and 60 per cent in the third and fourth months.

For more information on the initiative and eligibility criteria, visit the program website or contact SaskJobs Career Services directly at 1-833-613-0485 or careerservices@gov.sk.ca.

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