For four years now the Youth Entrepreneurship Placement Program (YEPP) has been up and running in the area.

It’s a unique summer job program that helps innovative businesses while giving youth a special experience in learning entrepreneurial skills, based on carefully-matched placements.

For employers there’s a wage subsidy of $11.83 per hour.

The deadline to apply is March 29th.

YEPP is open to businesses located in the districts of Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound and Muskoka.

It is administered through the North Bay-based offices of IION (Innovation Initiatives Ontario North).

IION’s Executive Director Rob Deline says the program offers far more than just a “summer job opportunity” for students, and more than a few dollars for businesses taking part.

“For the innovative employers taking part, it generously compensates them for the time and opportunity they are offering to a very focused and interested youth. The wage subsidy is $11.83 per hour, and many employers have told us it will greatly help offset recent increases to their minimum wage, and subsequently other staff wages,” explains Deline.

“It also gives youth a unique opportunity, more than simply a seasonal job. It is open to high-potential youth aged 18 to 29, with a strong, proven interest in innovation and entrepreneurship. It offers them work and wages, but also carefully planned experiential and educational learning components that can influence their future careers,” he adds.

Youth and businesses are carefully matched, for a 16 week placement that runs from May 4th to August 23rd, and is based around a 37.5 hour work week.

Business must be for-profit, and cannot be wholesalers, re-sellers or distributors.

Businesses can call 705-474-7600 ext 5660
Youth and students aged 18-to-29 can call 705-474-7600 ext 5661

For more details visit iion.ca/yepp online.

Photo submitted (L-R) past YEPP Program youth participant Mike McFaul and founder of Rynz Innocation Rayner Haupt.