2025 Summer Employment Opportunities Program

Overview of the 2025 Summer Employment Opportunities Program program:

The 2025 Summer Employment Opportunities (SEO) Program, administered by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Gaming, offers funding to eligible organizations to create meaningful summer employment opportunities for students. The program helps not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, Indigenous organizations, and First Nation communities hire students for positions that build transferable skills, foster career development, and contribute to the province’s key sectors: tourism, culture, sports, and recreation. SEO is a competitive program designed to benefit both students and employers. It provides organizations with financial support to implement projects that align with ministry priorities, such as promoting tourism, advancing cultural programs, and supporting community recreation. At the same time, it ensures students gain valuable work experience, preparing them for future careers in a supportive and structured environment. Funding Details Grant Amount: Up to $3,741 per student position. Eligibility for Full Grant: Employers must hire students for a minimum work period of 217.5 hours or 30 full-time days (7.25 hours/day). Hourly Wage: Students must be paid at least Ontario’s minimum wage ($17.20/hour as of October 1, 2024). Employers may choose to pay more, but additional costs are not covered by the grant. Reimbursement: Employers who do not meet the minimum work hour requirement must reimburse the Ministry for unused funds.

Benefits of the 2025 Summer Employment Opportunities Program program:

• Provide Career-Related Work Experience:
• Students gain supervised experience in roles that enhance their career-readiness and develop transferable skills applicable to the general labor market.
• Encourage Regional Development:
• Focus on creating job opportunities in communities across Ontario, particularly in areas with high unemployment, such as Northern Ontario.
• Support Transparent Recruitment:
• The program requires fair and open hiring practices to ensure equitable access to employment opportunities for all students.
• Enhance Organizational Capacity:
• Through funding, organizations can deliver summer services and implement specific projects aligned with the ministrys priorities, such as economic growth, cultural enrichment, and sport participation.

Eligibility criteria of the 2025 Summer Employment Opportunities Program program:

• Eligible Organizations:
• Not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, Indigenous organizations, and First Nation communities legally incorporated for at least one year.
• Must have $2M in commercial liability insurance and WSIB (or equivalent) coverage for all employees.
• Eligible Students:
• Ontario residents enrolled in or within six months of graduation from secondary or post-secondary institutions.
• Must be at least 15 years old and eligible to work in Canada.
• Proof of enrollment and eligibility (e.g., Social Insurance Number) must be provided to the employer.
• Eligible Positions:
• Roles must provide training, skill-building opportunities, and meaningful career-related experiences.
• Positions should align with key ministry sectors: tourism, culture, sports, and recreation.
• Employers must provide supervision, training plans, and health and safety measures for all student workers.