I am a business owner, is my business eligible?
The innovative applicant must be a registered for-profit entity located in the districts of Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound or Muskoka. Innovative companies are defined as creating economic value and growth through new or significantly improved products, processes or services. EDP is not applicable to businesses operating as distributors, resellers or wholesalers.
*All company & participant applications are subject to a competitive review process.
Does the company have to find a participant for the position?
Yes, it is the responsibility of the company to find a participant match. IION will aid in the promotion of the position and forward any potential candidates that apply to the program for a company’s consideration and vetting. It is strongly recommended that applications are submitted as early as possible to allow for potential matching. Existing employees that have been hired in last 6-12 months that are being reassigned to a new project or product line within the business can be eligible as participants. Reminder that there is no longer the youth component to this program; any age is eligible to participate. *Participants cannot be related to the directors, officers or managers of the organization.
Is there an age requirement for the participant?
No, there are no restrictions on who the participant can be in this program. They can be any age to participate and they do not need to be a recent graduate or returning to school to participate.
What hours are the participants expected to work?
The participants are expected to be full-time T4 employees of the company, working at a minimum of 37.5 hours a week for 16-weeks. If the participant misses work throughout the placement, it is the company and participant’s responsibility to schedule them in a way to make up those hours prior to the final date of the placement.
What is a match?
A company and participant pair is considered a match once both company and participant applications are received by IION. Matches must be made before the deadline in order to be considered by the selection committee.
During the placement, companies are expected to mentor the youth. What are the expectations and duties of the companies in this respect?
EDP is meant to be an introductory overview of entrepreneurship; IION will send companies a list of the topics that the participant will be learning such as financial statements and customer discovery. It is expected that the participant will be shown some of these aspects of the company through a meeting, a project or a conversation.
When are the mandatory key development activities?
There are 7 half-day mandatory key development activities in which the participant must participate. These will be done virtually through the Zoom platform.
Does the company pay the participant while they attend the mandatory key development activities?
Yes, the company must treat these activities as paid time at work.
If successful, how does the funding work?
- Approved companies will receive a wage subsidy of $7,200 ($12/hour for 37.5 hours per week for 16 weeks) to help offset costs of the participant’s wage.
- The funding is disbursed 50/50. The first payment ($3,600) will be disbursed in the first month of the placement, the second half of the funding ($3,600) being disbursed at the end of the placement when the final reporting documents have been submitted to IION.
- The company must contribute a minimum of $1,200 ($2/hour for 37.5 hours per week for 16 weeks) to meet the provincial minimum wage of $14/hour.
- Over the 16-weeks, the participant must be paid at a minimum of $8,400 (in regular hourly wages). Successful companies must submit pay stubs throughout the program to show proof of payment.
- The company is responsible for the mandatory employment-related costs (CPP & EI and any other work-related fees, insurance, etc.).
Companies contact Emily Ryan/705-498-5584/[email protected]
What are the applicant & program requirements?
All participants must be legally entitled to work in Canada and have an interest in learning about entrepreneurship as a career and have an innovative spirit. Participants must agree to complete the 16-week placement with the matched company, the educational program outside of work hours (unpaid- 1 hour/week) and participate in the mandatory activities.
Where do the placements take place?
Placements will occur with companies that are located in the districts of Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound or Muskoka.
Does the participant have to find a company for the position?
Yes, it is the responsibility of the participant to find a company match. If the participant does not have a company match, IION will forward the participant’s resume and application to companies that apply to the program; based on the identified preferences for location, field of interest and skill sets, for a company’s consideration and vetting. Applications that are complete and have a matched company identified will be sent to a selection committee. It is strongly recommended that applications are submitted as early as possible to allow for matching.
Existing employees that have been hired in last 6-12 months that are being reassigned to a new project or product line within the business can be eligible as participants. Reminder that there is no longer the youth component to this program; any age is eligible to participate.
*Participants cannot be related to the directors, officers or managers of the organization.
What is a match?
A company and participant pair is considered a match once both company and participant applications are received by IION. Matches must be made in order to be considered by the selection committee.
What hours are the participants expected to work?
The participants are expected to be full-time T4 employees of the company, working at a minimum of 37.5 hours a week for 16-weeks. If the participant misses work throughout the placement, it is the company and participant’s responsibility to schedule them in a way to make up those hours prior to the final date of the placement.
What type of companies are eligible?
Companies must be innovative and be registered for-profit entities located in the districts of Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound or Muskoka. Innovative companies are defined as creating economic value and growth through new or significantly improved products, processes or services. EDP is not applicable to businesses operating as distributors, resellers or wholesalers.
*All company and participant applications are subject to a competitive review process.
Does the participant get paid for the mandatory key development activities?
Yes, the company must treat the key development activities for participates, as paid workdays.
Can this placement count towards a co-op or other post-secondary credits?
It is highly recommended that the participant speak with their professors about the placement to see if there is a possibility for credits.
Participants contact: Emily Ryan/705-498-5584/[email protected]
