CreateAction
What is CreateAction?
CreateAction brings together employers, youth and community leaders to promote pathways to meaningful employment and improve wellbeing for youth facing systemic barriers to employment. Through paid 6-month work experiences and career-relevant learning opportunities, youth benefit from quality work experiences in the social economy, while participating in a peer learning program to build foundational and transferable skills for any career.
How does it work?
The NAFC is working in partnership with the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) to deliver the program with evaluation and social support from Social Research Demonstration Corporation. CreateAction is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) as part of the Youth and Employment Skills Strategy. Placements will take place under the terms and conditions of a contribution agreement between CCEDNet and ESDC.
CreateAction partners will:
- Recruit employers working in CED and the social economy to provide 6-month work placements for youth, helping employers with guidance and support to carry out the activities and objectives of the program
- Pay youth directly at $21/hour (though employers are welcome to top up the amount at their own expense), including statutory holidays and MERCs
- Provide a peer learning program for youth’s ongoing personal and professional development, with weekly drop-in spaces for youth to build community
- Deliver a capacity building network for employers to help provide tailored wraparound supports for youth, including strengthening the capacity of employers to support youth facing barriers to employment
- Work closely with employers to offer mediation support or resolve disputes in the event of a crisis or conflict arising in the work placement
- Evaluate program activities and outcomes with employers and youth at the beginning, mid-point, and end of placement
Funding is limited and administered through an application process based on criteria listed below.
Apply for Cohort 5!
NAFC is accepting applications from member-FCs and PTAs for CreateAction. See important application information, dates and deadlines:
- Complete an application by February 24, 2023
- You’ll be notified of your application status by March 13, 2023
- Recruit a youth by April 14, 2023
- Placements run from May 1 to October 27, 2023
- CreateAction directly pays the youth $21/hour
Application Review and Selection
Employer applications will be assessed and reviewed based on the commitment to the principle that CreateAction is first and foremost a program designed to support youth facing barriers to employment. For this reason, we are looking for employers who will commit to supporting and accommodating the needs of youth facing barriers to employment and a willingness to increase organizational capacity to do so.
Additional criteria include:
- Relevance of proposed work experience to CED that aligns with the level of a youth facing barriers to employment, and be willing to adapt the position based on the skills/abilities of the youth
- Commitment and capacity to assist youth with their daily work and support skills development, providing coaching and career development support
- Demonstrated ability to recruit and support youth who are:
- Unemployed/underemployed and not currently enrolled school or training
- From diverse backgrounds, including people who are Indigenous, Black, racialized, LGBTQ2S+, newcomers to Canada, francophone, and/or live with disability
- Facing system barriers to employment
- Commitment to participate in a peer support network of employers
- Dedication to supporting the youth in leveraging the work experience into full-time employment or study, including supporting the youth’s short-term goals (6-12 months) after the placement
Employers accepted into the program will be required to recruit youth based on the eligibility criteria below for the work placement:
- Between 15-30 years old (inclusive) at the time of recruitment
- Unemployed/underemployed and not currently enrolled in school or training
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
- Legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations
Apply today!
For any questions, contact Project Officer, Monida Eang at meang@nafc.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need to invoice CreateAction for the youth wages?
No. CCEDNet administers the wages and manages payroll for the program on behalf of CreateAction. Youth are paid bi-weekly directly by CCEDNet through direct deposit.
Can I offer a different wage than what is offered through CreateAction?
We are happy to accommodate wage top-ups to match the living wage in your Province/Territory at your expense. All requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Are placement dates flexible?
No. Ideally all youth will start on the same day to provide the best opportunity for youth to be part of a community through the peer learning program. An orientation will also be provided within the first week of the start date, and it is vital that all youth attend this session.
Can I apply for more than one position?
No. Only one application per employer may be submitted for this cohort.
Can I apply for another placement if I’ve participated in CreateAction before?
Yes! You can apply but it must be for a new placement and cannot be to extend placements or rehire youth who have already participated in the program.
