First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program: How to Apply (Private Sector vs Not-for-Profit)

If you want to train or hire First Nations or Inuit youth, the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program can fund a significant portion of your project costs—up to 50% for private sector employers and up to 100% for not-for-profit organizations. How you apply, and the amount you may receive, depends on whether you are a private sector employer or a not-for-profit organization. This guide explains the differences so you can make an informed decision about which stream to use.

Understanding the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program

The First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program is a federal funding program delivered by Indigenous Services Canada. It supports projects that help First Nations and Inuit youth gain employability skills, work experience, and career awareness.

There are two main streams for applicants:

Private Sector stream
Not-for-Profit stream

Both streams support similar activities, but funding levels, cost-sharing rules, and expectations differ.

Who Can Apply and How Funding Differs

Private Sector Applicants

The First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Private Sector) is for employers who want to train or hire Indigenous youth as part of their workforce.

Key eligibility rules:

You must be a private sector employer operating in Canada.
Your project must support First Nations or Inuit youth aged 15 to 30.
Youth must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
For mentored work placements, youth must be out of school and unemployed or underemployed.

Funding details:

Covers up to 50% of eligible project costs.
Funding is provided as a repayable contribution.
You must contribute the remaining project costs from non-federal sources.

Common funded activities include:

Paid work placements and on-the-job training
Mentorship and job coaching
Essential skills development (communication, teamwork, digital skills))

GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and applicant type in seconds.

Not-for-Profit Applicants

The First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Not-for-Profit Sector) is structured to support community-based organizations that run programs for youth.

Who qualifies:

First Nations or Inuit communities, governments, or organizations
First Nations schools or federal schools on reserve
Not-for-profit associations
In some cases, partnerships with employers

Participant requirements:

First Nations youth ordinarily resident on reserve or in a recognized community
Inuit youth residing in Canada outside Inuit Nunangat
Generally ages 15 to 30 at the start of program activities

Funding details:

Covers up to 100% of eligible project costs.
Funding is usually provided as a non-repayable contribution for not-for-profits. In rare cases, repayable funding may apply if the project generates revenue, but most grants are non-repayable.)
Cost-sharing is not required.
Larger projects may be supported if outcomes are clearly defined.

Eligible activities:

Pre-employment training and life skills programs
Career exploration and job readiness workshops
Supported work experiences with employers)

How the Application Process Works

No matter which stream you choose, the application process is similar.

You will need to:

Define your project outcomes
Focus on measurable results like jobs created, skills gained, or certifications earned.
Identify eligible youth participants
Age, Indigenous identity, and employment status matter.
Build a detailed budget
Clearly separate eligible costs and show cost-sharing if you are a private employer.
Submit through Indigenous Services Canada
Applications are assessed based on impact, feasibility, and alignment with program goals.

Deadlines are not always fixed. Many intakes are ongoing until funds are allocated.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying under the wrong stream
Private companies applying as not-for-profits are commonly rejected.
Misunderstanding funding terms
Private sector contributions are repayable. Not-for-profits usually receive non-repayable funding, unless the project earns revenue.
Unclear youth eligibility
Failing to document age, Indigenous identity, or employment status can delay approval.
Weak outcome metrics
Vague goals like “improve skills” are less competitive than clear, measurable outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program only for unemployed youth?
No. For general training activities, youth may be in different situations. However, mentored work placements require youth to be out of school and unemployed or underemployed.

Q: Is the funding really repayable?
For private sector applicants, funding is repayable. For not-for-profits, funding is usually non-repayable unless the project generates revenue. Check your agreement terms.

Q: Can private employers receive 100% funding?
No. Private sector applicants are capped at 50% of eligible costs. Full funding is reserved for not-for-profit projects.

Q: What costs are usually eligible?
Training wages, mentorship costs, supervision, materials, and some administrative expenses tied directly to the project are commonly eligible.

Q: Can multiple employers partner on one application?
Yes, especially under not-for-profit-led projects, as long as roles and outcomes are clearly defined.

Next Steps

Choosing the correct stream under the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program ensures you meet eligibility requirements and follow the right funding rules. Start by confirming your applicant type, then build a project plan with clear outcomes for Indigenous youth.

If you are also exploring related funding, see:

Federal vs Provincial Workforce Training Grants: What Canadian Employers Should Use
Government Funding for Workforce Training and Upskilling in Canada
Training and Workforce Development Grants in Canada: Eligibility Guide

GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada, including Indigenous training and employment funding. You can check which ones match your business or organization profile.

First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program: How to Apply (Private Sector vs Not-for-Profit)