Hiring students for summer work can get expensive, especially when you add up wages and training costs. The Student Training and Employment Program (STEP) in Yukon provides a wage subsidy to help employers hire post-secondary students for the summer. This program makes it easier for Yukon businesses to fill seasonal jobs and gives students valuable paid work experience.
The Student Training and Employment Program (STEP) is a wage subsidy offered by the Yukon government. It supports employers who hire post-secondary students for jobs related to their studies. The main goal is to help students gain hands-on experience while making it more affordable for employers to hire them.
To qualify, your business or organization must:
The student you hire must:
For 2024, STEP pays the following hourly wage rates, based on the student’s completed year of study:
Each job must offer 450 to 600 hours of work, usually full-time over the summer months.
STEP offers important benefits to both employers and students. Employers can hire students at a lower cost, which makes it easier to fill positions during busy times or launch new projects. Students, in turn, earn competitive wages and gain practical experience in their field.
For students, a STEP job often leads to stronger resumes and can even open doors to future employment. Employers get a chance to train local talent and see if a student might be a good fit for a permanent job later on. Small businesses and nonprofits especially benefit, since the wage subsidy can make hiring students possible when budgets are tight.
STEP also helps Yukon build a skilled workforce by connecting students with local employers.
Getting your application in early is important because STEP positions fill up fast each year.
Before you apply, decide on:
You will need this information for your application.
Apply through the Yukon Department of Education’s STEP process. You will need:
Applications are reviewed for eligibility and to make sure the job matches STEP’s goals.
Do not hire anyone before you get written approval. Only approved jobs are eligible for STEP funding. Wages paid outside the approved dates or at the wrong rate may not be covered.
Once approved, you can recruit a post-secondary student who meets all the requirements. Many employers list jobs as “STEP-funded” to attract students who know about the program.
During the work term, you need to:
Check payment details with the program administrators. STEP is a wage subsidy, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back unless you use the funds incorrectly.
GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you compare student wage subsidies in Yukon and across Canada.
Hiring before approval
Only wages paid after you get written approval are eligible for STEP funding.
Choosing the wrong wage rate
The wage rate depends on the student’s completed year of study, not their age or other experience.
Offering unrelated job duties
The job must be related to the student’s field of study. General labour jobs usually do not qualify.
Missing the work period
Jobs that start before May 1 or end after September 1, 2024, are not eligible for STEP.
Q: How much funding does STEP provide?
STEP covers student wages at set hourly rates from $22.56 to $27.68 per hour for 450–600 hours of work.
Q: Is STEP funding repayable?
No, STEP is a wage subsidy and does not need to be paid back unless you break the program rules.
Q: Can nonprofits apply for STEP?
Yes, as long as your group operates in Yukon, has a local office, and meets the employer requirements.
Q: Can STEP be combined with other wage subsidies?
There may be limits on stacking subsidies. Check with the STEP program to see if you can combine it with federal or sector-specific funding.
Q: What types of students can be hired?
Only post-secondary students in jobs connected to their field of study qualify for STEP.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active wage subsidy and student hiring programs across Canada. This makes it easy to see which programs work best for your business needs.
STEP is one of the most generous student wage subsidies in Yukon, but it is not your only option. Other territorial and federal programs may also help reduce hiring costs. With GrantHub, Yukon employers can compare STEP with other student and wage subsidy programs to find the best match before hiring season begins.
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