Автор: Daria Cybulska (WMUK) - Власна робота, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22363441User comments
EDMONTON — Alberta’s government is investing $20 million over three years to help young people enter the workforce and gain job experience.
The funding, announced in Budget 2026, will support the Alberta Youth Employment Incentive and related workforce programs, with the province estimating up to 8,750 youth could be hired by about 3,500 employers.
The program provides wage subsidies to businesses to offset the cost of hiring and training young workers.
Employers can receive up to $4,000 to hire one or two youth for a combined minimum of 400 hours, or up to $7,500 to hire three to five youth for at least 750 hours, amounting to roughly $10 per hour in wage support during early employment.
Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Minister Joseph Schow says the program is aimed at helping young Albertans build career pathways.
He says supporting youth employment is key to ensuring the province remains a place of opportunity for the next generation.
The program has already supported nearly 860 young people in securing jobs since its launch, with the government expecting thousands more to benefit from the expanded funding.
Officials say about 95 per cent of participating employers are small and medium sized businesses.
An initial $4 million increase will go toward the existing program delivered by CAREERS: The Next Generation, with an additional $16 million over two years to expand employment and skills training opportunities.
Stefan Rutkowski, president and CEO of CAREERS, says the program is helping young people gain confidence and experience while supporting employers in building their workforce.
The province says the initiative is part of broader efforts to grow the labour force and create employment opportunities for youth across Alberta.
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