The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is inviting proposals from non-profit community organizations for the new Employment Steps for Success Pilot Program.

The Employment Steps for Success Pilot Program replaces the Linkages and Transitions to Work programs. It will deliver services to clients seeking to enter or re-enter the workforce and allows organizations to be innovative and flexible with their programming.

Priority for funding will be given to proposals outlining activities related to career exploration for youth, adult pre-employment programming, or both.

The deadline for proposal submissions is Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. Organizations can contact EmploymentPrograms@gov.nl.ca with questions during the proposal process.

For more information on the new Employment Steps for Success Pilot Program, please see the backgrounder below.

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BACKGROUNDER

The Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, is inviting applications for funding of programming and services, which will build upon existing programming and address the following priorities:

• Proposals must demonstrate how the identified activities are distinct from current organization programming but will support the mandate of the organization and the department;
• Expected outcomes must be clearly identified; and
• Funding will be available for applications that outline activities that provide direct service delivery related to Adult Pre-Employment Programming and/or Career Exploration for Youth and are cost-effective along two streams.

Projects can be up to $50,000 per organization, per stream ($100,000 maximum):

Stream One – Career Exploration for Youth

• Provide a client-centered employment initiative that assist youth from a variety of educational and social backgrounds to achieve their career and employment goals;

• Organizations will assist non-Employment Insurance eligible youth between the ages of 18-30 who have not made a successful transition to the labour market with career decision-making and career exploration; and

• The sponsoring organization is responsible for participant intake and selection. Organizations are also responsible to promote their initiative.

Stream Two – Adult Pre-Employment Programming

• Provide an employment readiness program that offers pre-employment training and individualized support for non-Employment Insurance eligible individuals who are interested in obtaining employment;

• Provide individuals with an opportunity to: obtain help with problem solving; workplace communications; budgeting skills; explore personal strengths and align these strengths to occupations that may be a good fit; obtain workplace certificates such as First Aid, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, etc.; update and practice job search skills and provide individualized/coached job-search as participants apply for jobs with local employers;

• Program participants are unemployed adults in receipt of, or eligible to receive, income support. Participants must have completed at least secondary school Level I, and are interested in upgrading education or obtaining employment; and

• The sponsoring organization is responsible for participant intake and selection. Organizations are also responsible to promote their initiative.

Eligible costs may include, but are not limited to:

• costs for contractual services;
• participant costs (wages, benefits, stipends);
• consulting services;
• program materials;
• travel;
• advertising and promotion;
• resource materials;
• office supplies; and
• administration fees.

Proposals can be submitted online through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Labour Market Programs Support System (LaMPSS).

Organizations can contact EmploymentPrograms@gov.nl.ca with questions during the proposal process.