Youth in Natural Resources

Connecting Youth with Natural Resource Sector Employers

ECO Canada, in partnership with Natural Resources Canada, provides wage funding for employers looking to onboard young professionals for full-time work placements and job training. This program offers eligible employers salary coverage to create jobs within the natural resources sectors to protect the environment and have a positive environmental outcome.

Natural resource sectors include: the Energy Sector, Forest Sector, Mining, Minerals & Metals Sector, and Earth Sciences & Support Sector.

About the Youth in Natural Resources Program

The Youth in Natural Resources program is designed to train and support participants aged 15 to 30 who are looking to transition into or gain experience in the natural resources field.

This program not only helps participants build a network of peers and mentors but also provides employers with a chance to onboard young professionals. By doing so, it creates meaningful job opportunities in environmental sectors such as Energy, Forestry, Mining, Minerals & Metals, and Earth Sciences, while addressing the challenges often associated with hiring new professionals.

Funding Will Cover Up To 12 Months of Full-Time Work

Get the Details You Need

Download
the Program Guide

Learn everything about the program, eligibility, funding, placement details, and step-by-step instructions for both employers and participants.

Fill out the form to access the full guide and start your journey in Canada’s natural resources sector.

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From Application to Funding

How the Program Works

The Youth in Natural Resources Program provides training and funding for young professionals to help them transition into the workforce and gain experience in the natural resources sector. The program helps them build a network of peers and mentors.

1. Apply Online

Complete the eligibility assessment and application.

2. Get Approved

Both candidates and employers are notified once pre-qualified.

3. Recruitment

Candidates and employers secure placements; ECO Canada provides a Job Board to assist.

4. Secure Funding

Funding is confirmed once a match is approved and agreements are signed within 15 days.

5. Receive Funding

Wage coverage is applied according to eligibility, with additional support for Northern, Rural, Remote, Indigenous, or disability-designated placements.

Equity-deserving groups include persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and those living in remote areas, including Canada’s territories. Both the employer and the candidate must complete reports throughout the placement for the employer to receive the wage subsidy.

We'll help cover 75%, with coverage up to $20,000 or $30,000 for placements in Northern, Rural, or Remote areas.

Shape the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders

For Employers

For employers, gain the opportunity to onboard young professionals and create meaningful environmental jobs within the natural resources sectors (Energy, Forestry, Mining Minerals & Metals, Earth Sciences) by removing limitations and challenges of hiring new professionals.

Receive 75% up to $20,000 in funding towards a candidate’s salary, or 75% up to $30,000 in funding towards a candidate’s salary if placement is Northern/Rural/Remote or if participant is youth with Disability or Indigenous background.
The program is open to businesses of all sizes.
Employers must be Canadian-owned or a Canadian subsidiary, municipal government, provincial or territorial governments department, or Indigenous organizations.
Funding will cover full-time placements for work terms up to 12 months.

Step Into the Natural Resources Sector

For Young Professionals

Real Stories. Real Careers.

Watch how young professionals turned their passion for the planet into purpose-driven work through Youth in Natural Resources.