A pilot program that offered BC businesses financial incentives to defray the cost of hiring young people has been extended, and augmented.

Under the renewed Get Youth Working! Program, employers can receive up to $2,800 per employee, plus another $1,000 to offset training costs, if they hire eligible employees between the ages of 15 and 29. The program was created by the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, and is funded under the Canada-B.C. Labour Market Agreement.

The Get Youth Working! Program began as a 15-month pilot program which ended in March, but was recently extended for another year – from April 1st, 2012 to March 31, 2013. The hiring incentive has been increased to $2,800, up from $2,000 during the pilot program. Employers may have up to three participants in the program. More than 650 young people were hired through the program during the pilot phase, and another 900 youth are expected to be hired through the program’s extension.

“This program has already helped hundreds of young British Columbians get training in fields like graphic design, trades apprenticeships, business consulting, animation design and marketing,” said Susan Sambol, Director of Marketing and Communications at Bowman Employment Services Inc.

“Small and medium-sized businesses in BC should consider it as part of their hiring plans, and we encourage employers to contact us about how to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Additional details about the program are available at www.getyouthworking.ca or call toll-free at 1 877 866-3100.