Community Economic Development

Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria

The Purpose of the Youth Internship Program

The goal of the Youth Internship Program is to provide Eastern Ontario recent post-secondary graduates with valuable skills from full-time work experience leading to longer term employment in Eastern Ontario. Interns must be currently unemployed, reside in Renfrew County, be under the age of 30 and must have graduated with a degree, diploma or Ontario Ministry Certificate from a post-secondary institution directly related to the approved project activity, or they must be enrolled in an Apprenticeship Program.

Eligible Recipients (must be located and conducting activities in Renfrew County)

• Non-profit organizations;
• Municipalities;
• Municipal organizations;
• Community development organizations;
• Associations;
• Legal commercial entities including individuals, corporations, partnerships, cooperatives or trusts;
• Aboriginal organizations

Project Activities

The internships may include but are not limited to:

• Economic, tourism and/or business development;
• Business and trade opportunity development;
• Feasibility and marketing studies;Initiating marketing projects;
• Conducting research and analysis;
• Improving business competitiveness through training programs;
• Supporting technological innovation;
• Commercialization of new technologies.

Eligible Activities

Proposed activities should be based on specific projects that have defined start and finish dates, and measurable results. The position should provide opportunities for the intern to use skills and knowledge gained through their post-secondary education or gain learned knowledge through their apprenticeship.

Activities Not Supported Under This Program Include

• Administrative/operational activities that are considered to be part of the regular operations of the business/association/organization applying for assistance;
• Those that displace existing employees;
• Those that do not comply with all labour union agreements where applicable.

Eligible Costs

Eligible costs are limited to wages, benefits and related project costs. Only costs which are reasonable, incremental and which relate directly to the eligible project activities will be allowed.

• Private sector businesses: Funding may not exceed 50% of the eligible costs.
• Not-for-profit association/organizations: Funding may not exceed 80% of the eligible costs.

Funding Criteria

All funds must be expended by March 1, 2009.

Application Process

Your proposal must be submitted to RCCFDC by Thursday, March 27, 2008. All applications must follow the format of the application form. Applications submitted after the deadline date are not eligible.

Applicants may discuss a potential application with Dana Jennings, Project Coordinator, Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation at 613.735.3951 ext. 226 prior to completing an application to ensure it fits the criteria and/or to examine other potential opportunities.

Approval Process

Receipt of an application by RCCFDC does not indicate a commitment for funding. All applications are reviewed by the Community and Strategic Planning Committee of the Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation and assessed according to the criteria outlined in the program guidelines. If the application is approved, RCCFDC will prepare a letter of agreement that will outline the terms and conditions of the funding.

Reporting and Monitoring

Successful applicant(s) will be required to report to RCCFDC on the progress of their internship, receive site visits from a program monitor and submit monthly and a final project report. These will be outlined in a letter of agreement for approved projects.

Payment of RCCFDC Contributions

• Funds can be released to the business/association/organization at the end of each month.
• In order to receive payment, applicants must file a claim. The claim must include proof of payment of the intern’s wages or travel along with copies of cleared cheques attached to an invoice to RCCFDC on your business/association/ organization letterhead requesting the dollar amount to be reimbursed.

Evaluation Criteria

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a business, sole proprietor or not-for-profit organization located and conducting activities in Renfrew County.
• The proposed intern must be currently unemployed, reside in Renfrew County, be under the age of 30 and have graduated with a degree, diploma or Ontario Ministry Certificate from a post-secondary institution or enrolled in an Apprenticeship Program.

The Application Review Committee will use the following criteria to evaluate the applications for funding:

• Does the employer have an appropriate workspace for the intern?
• Does the employer have the appropriate tools/equipment for the intern to undertake his/her roles and responsibilities?
• Does the employer have appropriate insurance coverage through WSIB or private insurance?
• Will the intern have opportunities to learn about the business/association/ organization?
• Does the employer have the resources to provide supervision and mentorship?
• Are the activities of the intern based on specific projects that have defined start and finish dates, and measurable results?
• Are the roles and responsibilities of the intern clearly defined?
• Does the position provide opportunities for the intern to use skills and knowledge gained through their post-secondary education?
• Is the rate of pay commensurate with the knowledge and skills required for the position?
• Is there an opportunity for the continuation of employment after the completion of the internship?