Youth agriculture employment program gets financial boost

May 5, 2021 | 4:38 PM

MELFORT, Sask. — A new federal program promises to create youth jobs in the agriculture sector.

Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau hosted a virtual event to announce $21.4 million to enhance the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) and fund about 2,000 jobs for youth.

In 2020, the federal government provided $9.2 million for YESP to fund nearly 1,000 jobs. Bibeau said this will provide even more opportunities.

“By doubling our youth jobs program, we are providing thousands of young people with rewarding experiences that could lead to a career in agriculture,” Bibeau said. “In a time of labour shortages, this enhancement will also allow many employers to fill vacant positions.”

The program will provide young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 with job experience in agriculture. Eligible applicants include producers, agri-businesses, industry associations, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous organizations, and research facilities.

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The program has been very helpful to Ryan Kasko, General Manager of Kasko Cattle Co Ltd. of Coaldale, Alta.

“The YESP program has been an easy program to use. We’ve appreciated that it helped us hire a young person and expose them to some of the opportunities in the field of agriculture,” Kasko said.

Canadian Young Farmers’ Forum chair Justin Williams said the program alleviates some of the pressing labour issues in agriculture, while also giving youths exposure to the industry.

“We hope programs such as this can help foster the next generation of Canadian farmers and get the younger generations talking about Canadian agriculture as a career prospect,” Williams said.

Support can cover the period from Apr. 15, 2021 to Mar. 31, 2022.

Applications are now being accepted and forms are available through the YESP webpage.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW

by Alice McFarlane

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Youth agriculture employment program gets financial boost

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